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HST UV Observations of Asteroid (16) Psyche
Roth, Lorenz; Feaga, Lori M.; Becker, Tracy M. +7 more
The Main Belt Asteroid (16) Psyche is the target object of the NASA Discovery Mission Psyche. We observed the asteroid at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths (170-310 nm) using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope during two separate observations. We report that the spectrum is very red in the UV, with a blue upturn shor…
Recurrent Cometary Activity in Near-Earth Object (3552) Don Quixote
Smith, Howard A.; Hora, Joseph L.; Agarwal, Jessica +12 more
We report on observations of activity in near-Earth object (3552) Don Quixote using the Spitzer Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes around its 2018 perihelion passage. Spitzer observations obtained six months before perihelion show extended emission around the target's nucleus that is most likely caused by molecular band emission from eith…
Tidal Currents Detected in Kraken Mare Straits from Cassini VIMS Sun Glitter Observations
Sotin, Christophe; Barnes, Jason W.; Soderblom, Jason M. +3 more
We present Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) observations of sun glitter—wave-induced reflections from a liquid surface offset from a specular point—on Kraken Mare. sun glitter reveals rough sea surfaces around Kraken Mare, namely the coasts and narrow straits. The sun glitter observations indicate wave activity driven by the…
Changes in a Dusty Ringlet in the Cassini Division after 2010
Bridges, Bill; Hedman, Mathew
A dusty ringlet designated R/2006 S3, also known as the "Charming Ringlet," is located around 119,940 km from the center of Saturn within the Laplace Gap in the Cassini Division. Prior to 2010, the ringlet had a simple radial profile and a predictable eccentric shape with two components, one forced by solar radiation pressure and the other freely …
Seeing the Bigger Picture: Rosetta Mission Amateur Observing Campaign and Lessons for the Future
Roche, Paul; Norton, Andrew; Snodgrass, Colin +2 more
Amateur astronomers can make useful contributions to the study of comets. They add temporal coverage and multiscale observations that can aid the study of fast-changing and large-scale comet features. We document and review the amateur observing campaign set up to complement the Rosetta space mission, including the data submitted to date, and cons…