Observation by Eric Watkins: Asteroid 8373 Stephengould

Uploaded by

Eric Watkins

Observer

Eric Watkins

Observed

2018 Aug 29 - 23:45

Uploaded

2018 Aug 30 - 00:04

Objects

8373 Stephengould

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Constellation

Dorado

Field centre

RA: 04^h42^m
Dec: -62°07'
Position angle: +1°56'

Field size

0°06' × 0°04'

Equipment

C14 Edge 0.356m @F7.7
ME Paramount GEM
QSI 532 ccd camera binned 3x3
MaxIM DL
Astrometrica & Canopus

Exposure

60 seconds no filter

Target name

8373 Stephengould

Title

Asteroid 8373 Stephengould

About this image

Determining the rotation period of an asteroid together with analysing the light curve is still an area where the amateur can make a contribution to the body of knowledge. This is one area I wished to work within so to gain the practical experience I concentrated my first efforts on an asteroid with relatively known parameters. I chose the asteroid 8373 Stephengould, an outer main belt asteroid with a diameter of 6.69km and a reported period of 4.435 hrs.

The asteroid was faint at Mag R of 17.0 and four nights of 495 individual measurements provided a well defined curve and a rotation period of 4.435hrs. These results where checked and confirmed by Brian Warner who also looked for signs of the associated satellite, period 34.15 hrs which proved negative.

I am grateful to Brian Warner for his help and encouragement.

Files associated with this observation

8373_Stephengould_P1.PNG (55.8 kB)

Like this image

David Swan, Graham Winstanley, Jeremy Shears, Andy Wilson, Peter Carson, Robert Ian Henderson

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