Kharkiv study of near-Earth asteroids

Abstract

AbstractThe regular CCD observations of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) in the Institute of Astronomy of Kharkiv National University were initiated in 1995 within the framework of asteroid hazard problem in collaboration with the DLR, Institute of Planetary Research (Berlin). The main aim of the study is a determination of rotation periods and shapes of NEAs as well as astrometry of newly discovered objects. We also carry out the absolute photometry of NEAs inBVRIbands in order to put constraints on surface properties and to estimate their diameters. The observations are carried out with 0.7-m telescope of the Institute of Astronomy (Kharkiv) and with 1-m telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Simeiz) in the standard Johnson-Cousins photometric system. Some observations were made as an optical support of radar observation of NEAs. We present the results of photometric observations of 21 NEAs obtained in 2004-2006 which include asteroid rotation properties, diameters and shapes.