Poznan Observatory, Poznan, Poland
E-mail: tkastr@phys.amu.edu.pl
433 Eros is one of the best observed asteroids. There are lightcurves from as early as the beginning of this century. Unfortunately, none of the existing models is based on more than one apparition of this asteroid (excluding a simple technique of averaging two solutions from two consecutive apparitions). The paper will present a qualitatively new solution for Eros, based on the lightcurves from 1901, 1938, 1951/52, 1972, 1974/75 and 1981/82. While the result is generally consistent with the previous physical models, it offers a better accuracy and reliability which may be valuable in view of the recent NEAR mission to Eros.
Physical model for 1580 Betulia has been obtained by Drummond and Wisniewski (1990) on the basis of the 1976 apparition lightcurves. Experience with other near-Earth asteroids (e.g. Geographos) show however, that a single apparition may offer too few data for a well determined pole solution. As new lightcurves of Betulia has just been released (Wisniewski et al., submitted to Icarus), they are used to redo the previous model of this asteroid.
References
Drummond J.D. and W.Z. Wisniewski 1990. The Rotational Poles and Shapes of 1580 Betulia and 3908 (1980PA) from One Apparition. Icarus 83, 349-359.
Wisniewski W.Z., T.M. Michalowski, A.W. Harris, R.S. McMillan. Photoelectric observations of 125 asteroids. Submitted to Icarus