Physical and Dynamical Characterization of Small Bodies of the Solar System

• Grant number: 24/16260-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Solar System Astronomy
• Principal Investigator: Othon Cabo Winter
• Grantee: Filipe Vieira de Melo Monteiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The formation and evolution of small bodies in the Solar System, especially near-Earth asteroids (NEOs), is a complex problem that requires an in-depth understanding of their physical and dynamic properties. These objects are both a rich source for future space exploration and a potential threat to life on Earth, necessitating their detection and characterization to develop effective mitigation strategies. Additionally, binary systems make up about 15% of the NEO population, and they are of great interest because the gravitational interaction between the system's components allows the determination of mass and density, which are fundamental to understanding the composition and internal structure of asteroids.This project aims to characterize the physical and compositional properties of NEOs, binary systems, and targets of space missions through photometric and spectroscopic observations. Scientifically, the project will advance the understanding of NEOs and contribute to the protection of Earth from asteroid impacts, as well as identify trends regarding their formation and evolution. In practice, it will increase the number of objects with known physical and compositional characteristics, which are essential for the conception of space missions and for developing and implementing mitigation strategies. Overall, it will contribute to international efforts to characterize potentially hazardous asteroids and assess their potential impact risk on Earth.The physical properties, such as rotation period, pole direction, and shape model, will be derived from photometric observations at various observatories, including the facility of the Grupo de Dinâmica Orbital e Planetologia at UNESP. Additionally, spectroscopic data will be obtained from larger telescopes, such as SOAR and Gemini South, which will allow for a more precise compositional analysis. From these analyses, it is expected to conduct a detailed study of the dynamic characteristics of the surface and the environment around objects of great scientific interest, such as targets of space missions. This project is the natural continuation of the work developed by Dr. Filipe Monteiro during his post-doctorate carried out at the Observatório Nacional, within the scope of the IMPACTON project, whose experience will significantly contribute to expanding the lines of research of the Grupo de Dinâmica Orbital e Planetologia at UNESP.