Evidence of Possible Spectral Variability in the Patroclus-Menoetius Binary System

TL;DR

This study reports tentative evidence of spectral variability in the Patroclus-Menoetius binary system, suggesting surface inhomogeneities that could impact future spacecraft observations, based on new spectroscopic data showing differing spectral slopes at different rotational phases.

Contribution

First spectroscopic observations at near-opposite rotational phases showing potential spectral variability in the Patroclus-Menoetius system, highlighting the need for further follow-up.

Findings

Spectral slopes of 2.51% and 8.13%/100 nm at different phases.

Spectral variability remains statistically significant after systematic error considerations.

Implications for surface heterogeneity and upcoming spacecraft flyby.

Abstract

We present new visible-wavelength spectroscopic observations of the Patroclus-Menoetius binary system in the Jupiter Trojan population. Motivated by previously published spectra from different instruments that showed evidence of significant longitudinal variability, we obtained two spectra spanning 440-680 nm at near-opposite rotational phases with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph on the Gemini South telescope during the late 2024 apparition. The same solar analog was used for both observations to remove one source of inconsistency. We measured spectral slopes of 2.51% $\pm$ 0.05%/100 nm and 8.13% $\pm$ 0.05%/100 nm at the two different rotational phases. The first of these measurements was serendipitously obtained during an occultation of Menoetius by Patroclus. Although the statistical significance of the spectral slope discrepancy persists even after considering possible systematic errors stemming from differences in slit position angles and air masses between the asteroid and solar analog exposures, we consider this report of variability to be tentative. We briefly explore several scenarios that could explain the measured spectral slope variability. Additional follow-up observations are necessary to definitively confirm and characterize any inhomogeneities across the surface, which will have major implications for the 2033 flyby of Patroclus-Menoetius by the Lucy spacecraft.