Phase curve wavelength dependency as revealed by shape- and geometry- corrected asteroid phase curves

Abstract

ABSTRACT We investigate the photometric properties of 35 well-observed asteroids using dense ground-based and sparse ATLAS survey data. Focusing on two-colour photometric phase functions, derived using inverse methods, we explore the wavelength dependence. Our study reveals distinct (G1, G2) domains for cyan and orange filters, especially among some S-complex asteroids. For other asteroids, substantial uncertainties prevail, or their distributions of phase curve parameters overlap, precluding definitive conclusions on wavelength dependence. Notably, for S-complex objects, the effect appears systematic, characterized by lower G2 values in the cyan filter. The effect can be explained by considering the known geometric albedo correlation: higher albedo corresponds to flatter, whereas lower albedo corresponds to steeper phase curves. In the case of equal albedo, asteroids with red spectral slopes have a more pronounced opposition effect in red and asteroids with blue spectral slopes in blue filters. We explore the variation of slope differences of orange and cyan phase curves with phase angle. For most asteroids, the largest nominal variation is observed at phase angles < 10°. This suggests that the phase colouring for the orange–cyan colour slope is more pronounced at small phase angles. Through meticulous analysis of the opposition effect amplitudes, we also pinpoint preferred rotational pole solutions. We identify inconsistencies between phase curve parameters and spectral types in specific cases. The shape- and geometry-corrected phase curves signify an important advancement in studying asteroid photometric behaviour and may offer a deeper understanding of surface and regolith properties previously obscured by these effects, such as surface roughness.