Abstract:
- Summary of the entire paper:
- Problem
- Why we chose our solution
- Our solution
- Brief recap of procedure
- Brief recap of findings
Introduction:
- Explanation of asteroids and why they're important
Observations:
- Semi-major axis
- aphelion
- perihelion
- inclination
- MOID
- B-V-R-I photometric sequence and filters used
- Discussing aperture used for finding the asteroid
Data Analysis:
- Equations Used
- Color indices
Discussion:
Conclusions:
- Repetition of what we did
Background:
3200 Phaethon is an Apollo asteroid which was found to have a diameter of 5 kilometers and a mass of 1.4^10^4 kilograms. (
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=3200;cad=1). It follows an elliptical orbit whose path crosses the orbits of Mars, Mercury, Venus, and the Earth, and is categorized as a PHA. Its most recent fly-by was in 2017, while its next isn't until 2026.
Size of the Phaethon (sam)
Diameter: 5 kilometers
Mass: 1.4*10^14
How do we know? Source?
What is the Phaethon made of? (em)
Composition:
Various studies suggest the surface of 3200 Phaethon contains hydrated minerals and hydrated silicates. The asteroid's hydrated minerals may have similar origins to those of the main belt asteroids.
Phaethon is likely an "activated asteroid" that traveled to the NEO population from the main belt. The presence of hydrated silicates suggests that there used to be liquid water on the asteroid. Now, some ice remains inside the asteroid and is exposed when the object impacts small bodies. This creates comet-like properties.
Spectral Type:
Phaethon is a B-type asteroid, which is a relatively rare form of carbonaceous asteroids.
How do we know? Source?:
The Nature of (3200) Phaethon
What does the Phaethon look like? (India)
Shape: The astromit's diameter is about 5km. This is known to be the third largest NEA classified as "Potentially Hazardous".
Brightness: During a 9-day time span, Phaethon will be brighter and easier to see. The dimmest objects to see with a naked eye are about 6.5+, during those nine days 3200 Phaethon will obtain a 10.7+ magnitude. This is because of the time the elliptical orbit hits the earth.
Composition: Classified as a B-type asteroid because it is mostly composed of dark material. Resembles a comet because of its tail of debris but is known as a hybrid between an asteroid and comet.
How do we know? Source?
Also, synthetic tracking has been able to calculate the days in which this astromit is the brightest and even more visible to the naked eye.
Synthetic Tracking for NEAs
Tracking NEAs using synthetic tracking
Synthetic tracking takes thousands of photos and combines them to track how close the asteroid is to hitting the surface of the Earth
Replaces long exposure images with multiple short exposure images to detect faint asteroids
Faint asteroids are farther away from the asteroid belt; the bigger/brighter asteroids are easier to detect
Use Andor Zyla 5.5 sCMOS Camera on the Pomona College 40 Inch Telescope TMF
Cassegrain Telescope (also located at Pomona College) is a combination of primary concave mirrors and and a secondary convex mirror because this shows the focal length of the asteroid
Combine all of the data (photos) from the synthetic tracker with a data cube, which is a method of storing data in a multi-dimensional way
3200 Phaethon is an object that scientists have studied for decades. Through years of research, they have concluded that Phaethon is an asteroid with comet-like properties. It has a tail of ejected dust, the Sun’s heat reveals an icy core, and its orbit resembles that of a comet. Because 3200 Phaethon occasionally enters the orbit of the main asteroid belt, scientists hypothesize that it collided with another asteroid, knocking a trail of debris loose from the asteroids. This is one possible explanation for the tail that continues to follow Phaethon.
Every year, around December 14th, the Geminid Meteor shower commences. A meteor is a broken off particle from an asteroid or comet that orbits the sun. Though 3200 Phaethon might appear to be a harmless object in space, this asteroid’s large size and close proximity to the earth categorize it as a “Potentially Hazardous Object.” David Jewitt, a professor of astronomy at UCLA, answered the question whether or not 3200 Phaethon would be dangerous if it hit earth. He answered “...it would be dangerous and marked as potentially hazardous because of its proximity.” (Daily Bruin). Phaethon is the third largest asteroid discovered with a diameter of approximately 5 kilometers, which is about the length of 15 eiffel towers. This asteroid comes closer and closer to the earth every year, and one day it will likely hit and destroy possibly mankind.