2004 November 16

A NEW BINARY ASTEROID - 9069 HOVLAND

Brian D. Warner, Palmer Divide Observatory
Petr Pravec, Ondreov Observatory, Czech Republic
Alan W. Harris, Space Science Institute, La Canada, CA
Donald Pray, Carbuncle Hill Observatory
Vishnu Kanupuru and Ron Dyvig, Badlands Observatory


We wish to announce the discovery of 9069 Hovland as being a binary asteroid.

B.D. Warner began observing the asteroid in mid-October and after several
nights appealed to P. Pravec and A.W. Harris for help in analysis.
Initially, it was thought that the asteroid might be a tumbler of unique
rotation rate and size. Private calls were made for assistance to gather
additional data. D. Pray , V. Kanupuru and R. Dyvig, as well as
Warner provided additional data to Pravec that extended to mid-November.

The analysis now indicates that the object is likely a binary asteroid and
that currently the best solution is:

P1 = 4.2174 +/- 0.0002 h
P2 = 30.35 +/- 0.01 h

See pictures
http://www.asu.cas.cz/~ppravec/hovland.png
http://www.asu.cas.cz/~ppravec/hovland_longpc.png
http://www.asu.cas.cz/~ppravec/hovland_shortpc.png


This appears to be a unique solution with two linearly additive
components. The interpretation is that the two periods represent
two rotational lightcurves of the components in the binary system
but further study is needed to confirm this. It's possible that the
secondary is elongated and locked in synchronous rotation with the
orbital period. Again, additional data and analysis are required.

9069 Hovland was discovered by E.F. Helin at Palomar on 1993 July 16.
It was designated 1993 OV. It's primary orbital elements are:

a 1.91323 AU
i 19.5687°
e 0.1182567
H 14.4


Publication of data and final analysis is pending.


Brian D. Warner
Palmer Divide Observatory