Asteroids observations with the Hubble Space Telescope. I. Observing strategy, and data analysis and modeling process
Lattanzi, M.; Tanga, P.; Berthier, J.; Cellino, A.; Hestroffer, D.; Guglielmetti, F.; Di Martino, M.; Zappalà, V.
France, Italy
Abstract
Five main belt asteroids and one Trojan - selected mainly on the basis of their possible binary nature as deduced from light curve morphology - have been observed with the Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS#3 and FGSR#1) of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). In this first paper we present the selection and observation strategy, data reduction and analysis. A careful analysis of the precision for derived parameters is also given. The HST/FGS proves to be valuable in determining asteroid sizes, shapes and spin axis orientations, and also to identify nearly-contact binary systems. Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract No. NAS5-26555.