Spitzer observations of mutual events in the binary system (617) Patroclus-Menoetius

Abstract

We report Spitzer observations of the binary Trojan system (617) Patroclus-Menoetius during two mutual events, when respectively one component shadowed and occulted the other. Observing the thermal response to mutual shadowing with spectral ( 8--33 µm) and temporal resolution allowed us to determine the system's thermal inertia in a uniquely direct way. Furthermore, our analysis provided an accurate determination of the system's size which is methodologically independent of the estimate by Berthier et al. (this session). Our results allow a more reliable estimate of the system's bulk density (the total mass was determined from the system's mutual orbit; Marchis et al., 2006; Berthier et al., this session). This work is based on observations made with the Spitzer Space Telescope, which is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology under a contract with NASA. Support for this work was provided by NASA through an award issued by JPL/Caltech. This material is partly based upon work supported by the national Aeronautics and Space Administration issue through the Science Mission Directorate Research and Analysis Programs number NNG05GF09G.