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Zellner, B. H.

Publications and source records attributed to Zellner, B. H..

10 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1986

Photometry of small asteroids and cometary cores

The first asteroid lightcurves have now been made with a new technique of CCD photometry. The apparent magnitude is fainter (V>17) than what can be done with the 1.52-m Catalina reflector with a photomultiplier photometer. With the CCD system, however, the lightcurve shows remarkably good repetition; finding the asteroid is, of course, no problem as the object is recognized later by its motion on the CCD. Asteroid 1985RV has a lightcurve amplitude of about 0.4 mag and its period of rotation P = 4.0 hours, on the assumption that the lightcurve has two maxima and two minima as is the case for nearly all other asteroids. The diameter is about 3 km. 1985RV is a first example of results that are being obtained on asteroids and comets with CCD in the Catalinas, Kitt Peak, and Cerro Tololo.

Gehrels, T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Experiments to test theoretical models of the polarization of light by rough surfaces

A number of attempts have been made to provide theoretical models of the physical processes involved in the polarization of light scattered by a rough surface, such as the regolith of an atmosphereless planet. Some laboratory experiments designed to test different aspects of these models are described. It is concluded that double Fresnel reflection is usually the dominant process in producing negative polarization, but that diffraction effects may play a significant part in double events involving small-scale surface features.

Geake, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The outer satellites of Jupiter

Photometry and spectrophotometry of the Jovian outer satellites are used to throw light on the problem of their formation. The main plausible mechanisms for the formation of these satellites are discussd, including capture and breakup in the proto-Jovian nebula, collision within Jupiter's gravitational sphere of influence, and capture through the Jovian Lagrangian points after dissipation of the proto-Jovian nebula. UBV, VRI, and JHK color diagrams for various asteroids are used to show their similarity to the outer Jovian satellites. The evidence suggests that at least two outer Jovian satellites are comparable to C-type asteroids, and that two others are more nearly comparable to RD-type bodies. The apparent C-type satellites are both in the prograde cluster and the apparent RD-types are in the retrograde cluster. The Gradie and Veverka (1980) hypothesis that the reflectances and albedo characteristics of RD bodies may be due to aromatic kerogenlike compounds is discussed.

Cruikshank, D. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

High-speed photometry of the 11 December 1979 Juno occultation

The occultation of SAO 115946 by Juno on 11 December 1979 was observed from two sites in southern California with portable two-color, high-speed photometers. A composite light curve was constructed from the data by suitable scaling of individual observations, using an astrometric solution for the location of the contact points on Juno's limb. The preliminary astrometric solution used here has a semiminor axis of 118 km and a semimajor axis of 145 km at position angle 75.5 deg. The composite light curve is compatible with a stellar radius of (1.6 + or - 0.8) x 10 to the -4th arcsec, consistent with the radius estimated from the color and visual magnitude. There is no evidence for any companions to SAO 115946 or Juno. The prospects for use of asteroid occultations to determine stellar radii and asteroid surface slopes are discussed as compared with the lunar occultation technique.

Reitsema, H. J.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Results from the 10 March 1977 occultation by the Uranus system

Timings of occultation events observed at Perth, Australia during the appulse of Uranus to SAO 158687 are presented. In addition to pre- and post-appulse observations of the alpha ring, a search of the data confirms events by the '4', '5', and '6' rings on the pre-appulse side of Venus, and the '5' and beta rings on the post-appulse side. A table of other suspected events obtained from a statistical search of the data down to the same level of significance as the '4', '5', and '6' events is presented. A fairly strong 'event', so far unconfirmed, is noted near the 5:1 Miranda resonance orbit. Examination of the light curves at high time resolution indicates that the alpha ring was, during this aspect, about 10 km in radial extent and about 50% transparent.

Hubbard, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Geography of the asteroid belt

The CSM classification serves as the starting point on the geography of the asteroid belt. Raw data on asteroid types are corrected for observational biases (against dark objects, for instance) to derive the distribution of types throughout the belt. Recent work on family members indicates that dynamical families have a true physical relationship, presumably indicating common origin in the breakup of a parent asteroid.

Zellner, B. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The role of earth-based observations of asteroids during the next decade

Present reconnaissance studies of asteroids shift ground based programs to more specialized, intensive studies of selected individual bodies and special classes. Two powerful techniques--radar and mid-IR spectroscopy--have yet to be widely applied to asteroids; high priority should be given to: (1) search programs with a large Schmidt telescope (especially for Mars- and Earth-approaching bodies); (2) a moderate resolution visible and near-IR spectrophotometric survey of at least half the asteroids; (3) high resolution spectrophotometry and radiometry of unusual objects; (4) radar studies of representative main belt asteroids; and (5) application of the full complement of astrophysical techniques to objects of high scientific interest and to potential space mission targets. The infrared astronomical satellite also has high potential for contributing to asteroid science.

Chapman, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations of Uranus occultation events

An analysis of photometric data obtained during the Uranus appulse to SAO 158687 shows three occultation events which appear to coincide with portions of the Uranian ring system. Two occultation events were associated with the alpha ring and one with the beta ring of the planet; the alpha ring event suggests a ring model with a random distribution of occulting bodies of about 1 km diameter, and an areal density of about 50% over a band 10 km wide. Calculations indicate that neither the inner nor outer rings of the planet are truly concentric circles (to within their radius). In addition, determination of the ring centers can be used to locate the center of mass of the planet, and an upper limit of 26,300 km can be assigned to its radius.

Hubbard, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Photometric properties of the Martian satellites

New photoelectric observations yield V(1, alpha) equals 12.95 + 0.036 alpha + or - 0.05, B-V equals 0.65 + or - 0.03, and U-B equals 0.18 + or - 0.03 for Deimos and V(1, 0) equals 11.9 + or - 0.2 for Phobos. The derived geometric albedos of both satellites are near 0.065. Combined photometric and polarimetric results lead to the conclusion that the satellites have dusty surfaces and are possibly basaltic but more likely carbonaceous in composition.

Zellner, B. H.↗