Measuring the Yarkovsky effect with Las Cumbres Observatory

Abstract

The Las Cumbres Observatory (LCOGT) provides an ideal platform for follow-up and characterization of Solar System objects (e.g. asteroids, Kuiper belt objects (KBOs), comets, and near-Earth objects (NEOs)) as well as for the discovery of new objects. The LCOGT network allows for regular monitoring of a sample of targets, such as that of NEOs for which we can attempt to measure the Yarkovsky effect. We have used LCOGT’s global network of nine 1.0-m telescopes to measure the Yarkovsky effect on 36 asteroids through precise astrometric measurements using the Gaia-DR1 catalog; 18 (50%) of the 36 asteroids yielded > 3σ Yarkovsky detections. The target asteroids were selected through simulated observations each month to determine the objects for which new astrometry would yield the highest likelihood of a Yarkovsky detection. The Gaia-DR1 release has greatly improved the quality of the astrometry obtained, making the detection of the Yarkovsky effect more likely and secure by greatly reducing systematic catalog zonal errors. LCOGT is ideally suited to perform these observations due to its ability to monitor many targets over several days by employing dynamic scheduling, weather avoidance, and use of multiple sites around the globe.