3352 McAuliffe: Orbit and Physical model of the DS-1 target asteroid

Kurzfassung

The Deep Space One (DS-1) mission is scheduled for a historic first encounter with a Near-Earth Object, 3352 McAuliffe, On January 20, 1999. Images obtained during the fly-by will allow us to determine global shape, rotational parameters, regional topography, and spectral properties of the target. The object, approx. 1.5 km in diameter, tentatively defined to be an S-type asteroid, currently approaches the Sun (a=1.87 AU, e=0.365, i=4.78°) and will become visible to potential observers beginning next summer. As little data are hitherto available, we suggest that international observational campaigns should be initiated to derive or refine the pre-encounter physical model of the object and herewith to support mission planning for DS-1 and science analysis of post-encounter image data.