[IAUC] CBET 2054: 20091126 : S/2009 (317) 1

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                                                  Electronic Telegram No. 2054
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
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S/2009 (317) 1
     W. J. Merline, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI); P. M. Tamblyn,
Binary Astronomy, Dillon, CO, and SwRI; J. D. Drummond, Starfire Optical
Range, AFRL; J. C. Christou, Gemini Observatory; A. R. Conrad, W. M. Keck
Observatory; B. Carry, Observatoire de Paris, France; C. R. Chapman, SwRI;
C. Dumas, European Southern Observatory, Chile; D. D. Durda, SwRI;
W. M. Owen, Jet Propulsion Laboratory; and B. L. Enke, SwRI, write:
"We report the discovery on Nov. 24.4 UT of a satellite of minor planet
(317) Roxane from Kp-band imaging using the 8-m Gemini-North telescope
(+ Altair/NIRI adaptive optics system).  On Nov. 24.39992 UT, the
satellite was at separation 0".27 (projected separation 245 km) and
position angle 76 deg.  The satellite was imaged in Kp-, H-, and J-bands and
was tracked for more than 26 hours.  The brightness difference in Kp-band is
about 2.7 mag, giving an estimated diameter (primary diameter assumed
of 19 km) of the satellite of 5 km.  This binary has characteristics very
similar to the other wide binaries previously reported by our group
(see IAUCs 7827, 8075, 8232, 8293, 8297), all being consistent with the EEB
formation mechanism of Durda et al. (2004 Icarus 170, 243).  Among
binaries that can be resolved by imaging, this appears to be the first
E-type.  Given the recent detection of dual lightcurve periods in (1509)
Esclangona (CBET 2020), it is possible that separate spin periods could be
extracted from lightcurve data on (317)."


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                         (C) Copyright 2009 CBAT
2009 November 26                 (CBET 2054)              Brian G. Marsden