Light-curve analysis and shape models of NEAs 7335, 7822, 154244 and 159402

TL;DR

This study presents new light-curve data and shape models for four NEAs, confirming their rotation periods and suggesting Yarkovsky effect influence on one asteroid, marking a significant step in understanding NEA dynamics.

Contribution

First shape models and spin solutions for four NEAs using light curve inversion, including potential detection of Yarkovsky effect on one asteroid.

Findings

Rotation periods agree with previous reports, with improved uncertainties.

Detection of potential Yarkovsky effect on asteroid 2002 KL6.

New shape models contribute to NEA population characterization.

Abstract

In an attempt to further characterise the near-Earth asteroid (NEA) population we present 38 new light-curves acquired between September 2020 and November 2023 for NEAs (7335) 1989 JA, (7822) 1991 CS, (154244) 2002 KL6 and (159402) 1999 AP10, obtained from observations taken at the Teide Observatory (Tenerife, Spain). With these new observations along with archival data, we computed their first shape models and spin solutions by applying the light curve inversion method. The obtained rotation periods are in good agreement with those reported in previous works, with improved uncertainties. Additionally, besides the constant period models for (7335) 1989 JA, (7822) 1991 CS and (159402) 1999 AP10, our results for (154244) 2002 KL6 suggest that it could be affected by a Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack acceleration with a value of $\upsilon \simeq -7 \times 10^{-9}$ rad d$^{-2}$. This would be one of the first detections of this effect slowing down an asteroid.