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Hubble Finds New Asteroid Moon
Los Angeles - March 21, 2001 Asteroid (107) Camilla has joined the ranks of asteroids boasting a small moon. Astronomers from Towson University in Maryland found the satellite in five images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope earlier this month. While it is too early to have precise mass and orbit data, the images do show that the new moon, provisionally dubbed S/2001 (107) 1, is probably of the same type as its primary. The images also imply a size ratio of 1:25. "These images were taken by a snapshot program filling up available time on HST," reported Professor Alex Storrs. "This is part of a campaign to study main belt objects for companions and surface variegations. These observations are complementary with, not in competition to, ground based observations." While the ground based observations using the Keck adaptive optics system, for example, are excellent in the infrared, Hubble uses visible light. Both systems, Prof. Storrs stressed, reveal useful data about the objects being studied. Of the asteroids found to have large satellites, all appear to be "primitive" types. To Prof. Storr, this implies that they are unadulterated both physically and dynamically. "They can't have had large impacts or close passes," he explained. "They are, I'd venture to say, pristine." "This is an interesting time to be studying asteroids." Professor Storr stated. For so many years we've struggled with the limits of resolution [of ground based telescopes]. Now with adaptive optics, HST and Doppler radar the field has become interesting all over again." Additional HST images will be taken next week. To date only 10% of the roughly 50 objects have been imaged in this observing campaign. Mark Perew is a freelance science writer, a member of the National Association of Science Writers and a JPL Solar System Ambassador. He is also creating the ScienceMakers website. CommunityEmail This Article Comment On This Article Related Links ScienceMakers SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Space
Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India.
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