Project 9

Asteroids with satellites, or binary asteroids, are fundamental to many studies of Solar system objects including density determination in small bodies,
planetesimal formation in the Kuiper belt, and planetary defense. Binary systems are known among all Solar system populations, with well over 400
presently known and additional objects discovered on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, the bookkeeping of these objects has not been well done, with no
database which is easily accessible, well updated, and comprehensive. There is significant demand from the scientific community for such a database
which would be used by researchers around the world in support of various projects. The student will contribute to the database by compiling information about all known binary systems from the literature; significant progress has already been made on this task. Not all parameters will be available for all objects, and part of the work will involve determining when reasonable estimates can be made for unknown parameters. In addition, the student will supplement this work by participating in one or more of the following, dependent on their interests: taking and reducing data using Lowell observatory telescopes (e.g., photometric lightcurves or photometric colors) to fill gaps in the observational dataset compiled from the literature, using the compiled dataset to look for overall trends or trends within a certain sub-population, or contributing to the software which supports the public accessibility of the data.

The work will involve compiling results of previously published papers, observational reports, and archival websites to complete currently unfinished
portions of the binary asteroid database. The student will also estimate missing properties for some objects, and confirm that those estimates are
physically reasonable using a nuanced approach. If the student wishes to participate in observational tasks, they will plan, execute, and reduce
observations with assistance, and report those observations in a brief Minor Planet Bulletin paper. If the student wishes to participate in data accessibility tasks, they will design and build a simple web interface and/or Python library for accessing the database. The student will work on the project between 8-10 hours per week, depending on the weeks tasks; for example a week involving an observation night may be more time consuming.

The student will present the results of this work to Lowell Astronomers and at the 2027 Arizona Space Grant Symposium and contribute to an overview
publication of the database at a level appropriate to the students comfort and contribution, this may not occur until after the Space Grant program has
concluded. Additionally, depending on which tasks the student has chosen to contribute to they will either publish a short paper reporting their
observations and analysis thereof in the Minor Planet Bulletin, or contribute to a website and/or python package enabling the public accessibility of the
data.