Albedo, size, and surface characteristics of Hayabusa-2 sample-return target 162173 1999 JU3 from AKARI and Subaru observations

Sunao Hasegawa, Thomas G. Müller, Kyoko Kawakami, Toshihiro Kasuga, Takehiko Wada, Yoshifusa Ita, Naruhisa Takato, Hiroshi Terada, Takuya Fujiyoshi, Masanao Abe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mid-infrared observations of the Apollo-type asteroid 162173 1999 JU3 were performed in 2007 May during its close Earth approach with the AKARI space telescope and in 2007 August with the Subaru telescope. A thermophys-ical model analysis of the obtained data resulted in a radiometric diameter of 0.92 ± 0.12 km and a visual geometric albedo of 0.063-0.015 +0.020 The geometric albedo is typical for C-type asteroids. The solutions for the thermal inertia of 1999 JU3's surface material were not as clear as for the asteroid 25143 Itokawa due to less-favorable observing conditions. But the most likely solutions are connected to high thermal inertia values, indicating that the surface is predominantly covered bv boulders and bare rocks, while areas with thick dust reeolith are less common.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S399-S405
JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Volume60
Issue numberSPECIAL ISUE
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Infrared: Solar system
  • Minor planets, asteroids
  • Radiation mechanisms: Thermal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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