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Browsing Undergraduate Works by Subject "3d model"

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    Coordinated Observations of Asteroids by Pine Mountain and Nishi-Harima Astronomical Observatories
    (University of Oregon, 2021) Tamai, Nobuyuki; Monsrud, Riley; Itoh, Masayuki; Imamura, James; Fisher, Scott; Itoh, Masayuki; Fisher, Scott; Imamura, James
    Coordinated broadband photometric measurements of the asteroid 665 Sabine were obtained in August 2020 from both Nishi-Harima Astronomical Observatory (NHAO) and Pine Mountain Observatory (PMO) using a 0.6 meter telescope (NHAO) and the 0.35m Robbins telescope at PMO. 665 Sabine has a rotational period of 4.294 hours, semi-major axis of 3.14 AU, and diameter of ~51km. In total, these observations produced 180 images from PMO, and 280 images from NHAO. These 460 images of the target were then analyzed to produce a “lightcurve” of the asteroid, where photometric estimates of the asteroid’s brightness over time are plotted in order to extract the rotation period as well as the shape of the target. At any location, 665 Sabine cannot be tracked for more than two rotations. Continuous observation of rotating asteroids over several rotation cycles is necessary for determination of basic asteroid properties - such as the shape, surface properties, and rotation period. To obtain continuous coverage of an asteroid for more than two rotation cycles, multiple observing sites (separated by ~6 h in longitude) are needed. As a collaboration, NHAO and PMO work together to obtain data on asteroids that span several rotation periods. NHAO is operated by the University of Hyogo and located in Sayo, Japan. PMO is operated by the University of Oregon and located near Bend, Oregon.
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    Determining Physical Characteristics of the Asteroid 572 Rebekka through Analysis of its Lightcurve​
    (University of Oregon, 2021) Monsrud, Riley; Imamura, James; Fisher, Scott; Luerken, Kate; Holeman, Sara; Imamura, James; Fisher, Scott
    Here we present observations of the asteroid 572 Rebekka that were obtained in August 2020 at Pine Mountain Observatory (PMO). The target was observed with the 0.35m Robbins telescope at PMO, using a Sloan g’ filter, for a total of 8.5 hours over three nights. The observations produced 605 images of the target which were then analyzed to produce a “lightcurve” of the asteroid. Through photometric analysis of the lightcurve, we have produced a 3-dimensional model of the asteroid which is presented here. Using the programs MPO Canopus (MPO) and Aperture Photometry Tool (APT), photometric estimates of the asteroid’s brightness over time are plotted in order to extract the rotation period as well as the shape of the target. To calibrate this data, we compare the asteroid to multiple stars of constant brightness within the same image. This process, known as “relative photometry”, allows us to remove atmospheric effects due to air quality, light pollution, and changing air mass. An estimate for the change in magnitude due to air mass, commonly known as the extinction coefficient, is also made. These findings give confidence in PMO’s ability to provide research-grade data and serves as an exercise in analyzing and reducing large sets of data. As a collaboration with Kobe University in Japan, this is a continuing project that looks to familiarize students with data analysis, calibration, and astronomical concepts.​