Albedo heterogeneity on the surface of (1943) Anteros

TL;DR

This study examines how the rotation of asteroid (1943) Anteros affects its light polarization, revealing surface albedo variations including a dark spot, which enhances understanding of asteroid surface heterogeneity.

Contribution

First polarimetric observations of Anteros reveal surface albedo heterogeneity and rotation-related polarization variations.

Findings

Detected polarization variations with rotation indicating surface heterogeneity.

Identified a dark spot covering less than 2% of the surface.

Estimated background albedo of the asteroid at p_v = 0.18 +/- 0.02.

Abstract

We have investigated the effect of rotation on the polarization of scattered light for the near-Earth asteroid (1943) Anteros using the Dual Beam Imaging Polarimeter on the University of Hawaii's 2.2 m telescope. Anteros is an L-type asteroid that has not been previously observed polarimetrically. We find weak but significant variations in the polarization of Anteros as a function of rotation, indicating albedo changes across the surface. Specifically, we find that Anteros has a background albedo of p_v = 0.18 +/- 0.02 with a dark spot of p_v < 0.09 covering < 2% of the surface.