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Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids
This thesis investigates the detection of surface composition inhomogeneity on asteroids using time-series spectroscopy and photometry. Observations were conducted on three test cases—Pluto, asteroid 2005 EK70, and the weather satellite Meteosat-11 using the Mookodi instrument on the Lesedi telescop...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
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Department of Astronomy
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613458678153216 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mnisi, Mandlenkosi |
| author2 | Erasmus, Nicolas |
| author_browse | Erasmus, Nicolas Mnisi, Mandlenkosi |
| author_facet | Erasmus, Nicolas Mnisi, Mandlenkosi |
| author_sort | Mnisi, Mandlenkosi |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | This thesis investigates the detection of surface composition inhomogeneity on asteroids using time-series spectroscopy and photometry. Observations were conducted on three test cases—Pluto, asteroid 2005 EK70, and the weather satellite Meteosat-11 using the Mookodi instrument on the Lesedi telescope. For Pluto, time-resolved spectroscopy revealed methane ice absorption bands, with band depths varying between 3.33% and 4.80%, consistent with previously reported values. Photometric analysis supported these results, showing an r − i colour variation linked to surface inhomogeneity. For asteroid 2005 EK70, no significant spectral variations were detected, suggesting a uniform surface composition. The asteroid's diameter was determined to be 1.25 ± 0.26 km, with a rotation period of 4.34 hours, indicating it is stable. The third test case, Meteosat-11, served as a control to verify Mookodi's ability to track stationary objects. These findings demonstrate the capability of ground-based instruments like Lesedi to detect surface composition inhomogeneity from Earth. Future work could further refine these methods and apply them to a wider range of solar system objects. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42444 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:28.516Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Department of Astronomy |
| publisherStr | Department of Astronomy |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42444 Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids Mnisi, Mandlenkosi Erasmus, Nicolas Monageng, Itumeleng astronomy This thesis investigates the detection of surface composition inhomogeneity on asteroids using time-series spectroscopy and photometry. Observations were conducted on three test cases—Pluto, asteroid 2005 EK70, and the weather satellite Meteosat-11 using the Mookodi instrument on the Lesedi telescope. For Pluto, time-resolved spectroscopy revealed methane ice absorption bands, with band depths varying between 3.33% and 4.80%, consistent with previously reported values. Photometric analysis supported these results, showing an r − i colour variation linked to surface inhomogeneity. For asteroid 2005 EK70, no significant spectral variations were detected, suggesting a uniform surface composition. The asteroid's diameter was determined to be 1.25 ± 0.26 km, with a rotation period of 4.34 hours, indicating it is stable. The third test case, Meteosat-11, served as a control to verify Mookodi's ability to track stationary objects. These findings demonstrate the capability of ground-based instruments like Lesedi to detect surface composition inhomogeneity from Earth. Future work could further refine these methods and apply them to a wider range of solar system objects. 2025-12-17T12:41:04Z 2025-12-17T12:41:04Z 2025 2025-12-17T11:44:11Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444 en eng application/pdf Department of Astronomy Faculty of Science University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | astronomy Mnisi, Mandlenkosi Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids |
| thesis_degree_str | Master's |
| title | Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids |
| title_full | Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids |
| title_fullStr | Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids |
| title_full_unstemmed | Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids |
| title_short | Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids |
| title_sort | detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids |
| topic | astronomy |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mnisimandlenkosi detectingsurfaceinhomogeneityofasteroids |