A study of Multiplicity in Small Solar System Bodies

最新的观测数据证明了小行星卫星的存在，这些数据在很大程度上依赖于非常成功的自适应光学系统。这些发现为太阳系起源的理论提供了强有力的约束。该项目将在几个八到十米级的望远镜上使用能够纠正大气湍流模糊效应的AO系统，以继续和延长对小行星卫星的搜索。这项工作还将表征新发现的和已知的双星系统的轨道，以推断小行星的内部结构及其形成机制，如俘获、裂变、分裂和质量脱落。这将限制原行星环境的条件和组成。这项跨学科的研究将现代观测技术和数据处理与内部结构研究联系起来，将使复杂的轨道星历计算成为可能。自适应光学是一个最近发展起来的领域，预计将通过激光制导恒星系统、波前传感器和可变形反射镜等技术取得快速进展。这一项目为本科生提供了一个接触AO的宝贵机会。该团队希望继续过去成功的外展工作，为教育和公众利益提供了引人注目的AO图像和动画。

AST-0807468MarchisNew observational data, which rely greatly on very successful adaptive optics (AO) systems, have proven the existence of satellites of asteroids. These discoveries provide powerful constraints on theories of the origin of our solar system. This project will use AO systems, which correct the blurring effect of atmospheric turbulence, on several eight-to-ten-meter class telescopes to continue and extend the hunt for asteroid satellites. The work will also characterize the orbits of both the newly found and the already known binary systems, to infer the internal structure of the asteroids and their formation mechanisms, such as capture, fission, disruption, and mass shedding. This will constrain the condition and the composition of the proto-planetary environment. This interdisciplinary study links modern observational techniques and data processing to interior structure studies, and will make complex orbital ephemeris calculations possible.Adaptive optics is a recently developed field, expected to make rapid progress through technologies such as laser guide star systems, wavefront sensors, and deformable mirrors. This project provides a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students to become involved with AO. The team expects to continue past successful outreach efforts, which have made available striking AO images and animations for both education and public interest.