Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids

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dc.contributor.advisorErasmus, Nicolas
dc.contributor.advisorMonageng, Itumeleng
dc.contributor.authorMnisi, Mandlenkosi
dc.date.accessioned2025-12-17T12:41:04Z
dc.date.available2025-12-17T12:41:04Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-12-17T11:44:11Z
dc.description.abstractThis 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.
dc.identifier.apacitationMnisi, M. (2025). <i>Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Astronomy. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMnisi, Mandlenkosi. <i>"Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Astronomy, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMnisi, M. 2025. Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Astronomy. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mnisi, Mandlenkosi AB - 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. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - astronomy LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids TI - Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMnisi M. Detecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Astronomy, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42444en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Astronomy
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectastronomy
dc.titleDetecting surface inhomogeneity of asteroids
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc
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