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1. Asteroid (16) Psyche’s primordial shape: A possible Jacobi ellipsoid

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202038100  

   Ferrais, M. ; Vernazza, P. ; Jorda, L. ; Rambaux, N. ; Hanuš, J. ; Carry, B. ; Marchis, F. ; Marsset, M. ; Viikinkoski, M. ; Brož, M. ; et al ( June 2020 , Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   null (Ed.)

   Context. Asteroid (16) Psyche is the largest M-type asteroid in the main belt and the target of the NASA Psyche mission. It is also the only asteroid of this size ( D  >  200 km) known to be metal rich. Although various hypotheses have been proposed to explain the rather unique physical properties of this asteroid, a perfect understanding of its formation and bulk composition is still missing. Aims. We aim to refine the shape and bulk density of (16) Psyche and to perform a thorough analysis of its shape to better constrain possible formation scenarios and the structure of its interior. Methods. We obtained disk-resolved VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL images acquired within our ESO large program (ID 199.C-0074), which complement similar data obtained in 2018. Both data sets offer a complete coverage of Psyche’s surface. These images were used to reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) shape of Psyche with two independent shape modeling algorithms ( MPCD and ADAM ). A shape analysis was subsequently performed, including a comparison with equilibrium figures and the identification of mass deficit regions. Results. Our 3D shape along with existing mass estimates imply a density of 4.20  ±  0.60 g cm −3 , which is so far the highest for a solar system object following the four telluric planets. Furthermore, the shape of Psyche presents small deviations from an ellipsoid, that is, prominently three large depressions along its equator. The flatness and density of Psyche are compatible with a formation at hydrostatic equilibrium as a Jacobi ellipsoid with a shorter rotation period of ∼3h. Later impacts may have slowed down Psyche’s rotation, which is currently ∼4.2 h, while also creating the imaged depressions. Conclusions. Our results open the possibility that Psyche acquired its primordial shape either after a giant impact while its interior was already frozen or while its interior was still molten owing to the decay of the short-lived radionuclide 26 Al. 

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2. An advanced multipole model for (216) Kleopatra triple system

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140901  

   Brož, M. ; Marchis, F. ; Jorda, L. ; Hanuš, J. ; Vernazza, P. ; Ferrais, M. ; Vachier, F. ; Rambaux, N. ; Marsset, M. ; Viikinkoski, M. ; et al ( September 2021 , Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   null (Ed.)

   Aims. To interpret adaptive-optics observations of (216) Kleopatra, we need to describe an evolution of multiple moons orbiting an extremely irregular body and include their mutual interactions. Such orbits are generally non-Keplerian and orbital elements are not constants. Methods. Consequently, we used a modified N -body integrator, which was significantly extended to include the multipole expansion of the gravitational field up to the order ℓ = 10. Its convergence was verified against the ‘brute-force’ algorithm. We computed the coefficients C ℓm , S ℓm for Kleopatra’s shape, assuming a constant bulk density. For Solar System applications, it was also necessary to implement a variable distance and geometry of observations. Our χ 2 metric then accounts for the absolute astrometry, the relative astrometry (second moon with respect to the first), angular velocities, and silhouettes, constraining the pole orientation. This allowed us to derive the orbital elements of Kleopatra’s two moons. Results. Using both archival astrometric data and new VLT/SPHERE observations (ESO LP 199.C-0074), we were able to identify the true periods of the moons, P 1 = (1.822359 ± 0.004156) d, P 2 = (2.745820 ± 0.004820) d. They orbit very close to the 3:2 mean-motion resonance, but their osculating eccentricities are too small compared to other perturbations (multipole, mutual), meaning that regular librations of the critical argument are not present. The resulting mass of Kleopatra, m 1 = (1.49 ± 0.16) × 10 −12 M ⊙ or 2.97 × 10 18 kg, is significantly lower than previously thought. An implication explained in the accompanying paper is that (216) Kleopatra is a critically rotating body. 

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3. M-type (22) Kalliope: A tiny Mercury

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202243200  

   Ferrais, M. ; Jorda, L. ; Vernazza, P. ; Carry, B. ; Brož, M. ; Rambaux, N. ; Hanuš, J. ; Dudziński, G. ; Bartczak, P. ; Vachier, F. ; et al ( June 2022 , Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   Context. Asteroid (22) Kalliope is the second largest M-type asteroid in the main belt and is orbited by a satellite, Linus. Whereas the mass of Kalliope is already well constrained thanks to the presence of a moon, its volume is still poorly known, leading to uncertainties on its bulk density and internal structure. Aims. We aim to refine the shape of (22) Kalliope and thus its diameter and bulk density, as well as the orbit of its moon to better constrain its mass, hence density and internal structure. Methods. We acquired disk-resolved observations of (22) Kalliope using the VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument to reconstruct its three-dimensional (3D) shape using three different modeling techniques. These images were also used together with new speckle observations at the C2PU/PISCO instrument as well as archival images from other large ground-based telescopes to refine the orbit of Linus. Results. The volume of (22) Kalliope given by the shape models, corresponding to D = 150 ± 5 km, and the mass constrained by its satellite’s orbit yield a density of ρ = 4.40 ± 0.46 g cm −3 . This high density potentially makes (22) Kalliope the densest known small body in the Solar System. A macroporosity in the 10–25% range (as expected for this mass and size), implies a grain density in the 4.8–5.9 g cm −3 range. Kalliope’s high bulk density, along with its silicate-rich surface implied by its low radar albedo, implies a differentiated interior with metal contributing to most of the mass of the body. Conclusions. Kalliope’s high metal content (40–60%) along with its metal-poor mantle makes it the smallest known Mercury-like body. A large impact at the origin of the formation of the moon Linus is likely the cause of its high metal content and density. 

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4. VLT/SPHERE imaging survey of the largest main-belt asteroids: Final results and synthesis

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202141781  

   Vernazza, P. ; Ferrais, M. ; Jorda, L. ; Hanuš, J. ; Carry, B. ; Marsset, M. ; Brož, M. ; Fetick, R. ; Viikinkoski, M. ; Marchis, F. ; et al ( October 2021 , Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   Context. Until recently, the 3D shape, and therefore density (when combining the volume estimate with available mass estimates), and surface topography of the vast majority of the largest ( D   ≥ 100 km) main-belt asteroids have remained poorly constrained. The improved capabilities of the SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument have opened new doors into ground-based asteroid exploration. Aims. To constrain the formation and evolution of a representative sample of large asteroids, we conducted a high-angular-resolution imaging survey of 42 large main-belt asteroids with VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL. Our asteroid sample comprises 39 bodies with D   ≥ 100 km and in particular most D   ≥ 200 km main-belt asteroids (20/23). Furthermore, it nicely reflects the compositional diversity present in the main belt as the sampled bodies belong to the following taxonomic classes: A, B, C, Ch/Cgh, E/M/X, K, P/T, S, and V. Methods. The SPHERE/ZIMPOL images were first used to reconstruct the 3D shape of all targets with both the ADAM and MPCD reconstruction methods. We subsequently performed a detailed shape analysis and constrained the density of each target using available mass estimates including our own mass estimates in the case of multiple systems. Results. The analysis of the reconstructed shapes allowed us to identify two families of objects as a function of their diameters, namely “spherical” and “elongated” bodies. A difference in rotation period appears to be the main origin of this bimodality. In addition, all but one object (216 Kleopatra) are located along the Maclaurin sequence with large volatile-rich bodies being the closest to the latter. Our results further reveal that the primaries of most multiple systems possess a rotation period of shorter than 6 h and an elongated shape ( c ∕ a ≤ 0.65). Densities in our sample range from ~1.3 g cm −3 (87 Sylvia) to ~4.3 g cm −3 (22 Kalliope). Furthermore, the density distribution appears to be strongly bimodal with volatile-poor ( ρ ≥ 2.7 g cm −3 ) and volatile-rich ( ρ ≤ 2.2 g cm −3 ) bodies. Finally, our survey along with previous observations provides evidence in support of the possibility that some C-complex bodies could be intrinsically related to IDP-like P- and D-type asteroids, representing different layers of a same body (C: core; P/D: outer shell). We therefore propose that P/ D-types and some C-types may have the same origin in the primordial trans-Neptunian disk. 

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5. (704) Interamnia: a transitional object between a dwarf planet and a typical irregular-shaped minor body

   https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201936639  

   Hanuš, J. ; Vernazza, P. ; Viikinkoski, M. ; Ferrais, M. ; Rambaux, N. ; Podlewska-Gaca, E. ; Drouard, A. ; Jorda, L. ; Jehin, E. ; Carry, B. ; et al ( January 2020 , Astronomy & Astrophysics)

   Context. With an estimated diameter in the 320–350 km range, (704) Interamnia is the fifth largest main belt asteroid and one of the few bodies that fills the gap in size between the four largest bodies with D > 400 km (Ceres, Vesta, Pallas and Hygiea) and the numerous smaller bodies with diameter ≤200 km. However, despite its large size, little is known about the shape and spin state of Interamnia and, therefore, about its bulk composition and past collisional evolution. Aims. We aimed to test at what size and mass the shape of a small body departs from a nearly ellipsoidal equilibrium shape (as observed in the case of the four largest asteroids) to an irregular shape as routinely observed in the case of smaller ( D ≤ 200 km) bodies. Methods. We observed Interamnia as part of our ESO VLT/SPHERE large program (ID: 199.C-0074) at thirteen different epochs. In addition, several new optical lightcurves were recorded. These data, along with stellar occultation data from the literature, were fed to the All-Data Asteroid Modeling algorithm to reconstruct the 3D-shape model of Interamnia and to determine its spin state. Results. Interamnia’s volume-equivalent diameter of 332 ± 6 km implies a bulk density of ρ = 1.98 ± 0.68 g cm −3 , which suggests that Interamnia – like Ceres and Hygiea – contains a high fraction of water ice, consistent with the paucity of apparent craters. Our observations reveal a shape that can be well approximated by an ellipsoid, and that is compatible with a fluid hydrostatic equilibrium at the 2 σ level. Conclusions. The rather regular shape of Interamnia implies that the size and mass limit, under which the shapes of minor bodies with a high amount of water ice in the subsurface become irregular, has to be searched among smaller ( D ≤ 300 km) less massive ( m ≤ 3 × 10 19 kg) bodies. 

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