Abstract:
In order to contribute to a better understanding of small bodies, we conducted an observational study of different groups of these objects. We developed an algorithm that uses the wavelet technique to improve the spectra of transnetunian objects in the near infrared range. This algorithm uses a blind test that takes into account the original spectrum to choose the most appropriate wavelet and scale pair for the filtering. In this way, we were able to identify hints of absorption bands that were once masked by noise. Using spectroscopy in the visible range, we performed an analysis of five of the seven NASA Lucy mission targets. The Lucy mission will visit an asteroid in the main belt and six Jupiter Trojans. We look for evidence of surface variation and characterized, for the first time, the asteroid to be visited by the mission. Our results indicate that there is a superficial variation in the Trojan 3548 Eurybates. Joining observations made from terrestrial and space telescopes, we conducted a study of the surface composition of Haumea and Varuna: two transnetunian objects that have an elongated shape and were observed by the Spitzer space telescope in two filters. In this work, we were able to restrict the compositional models of these bodies that can be confirmed soon, with James Webb Space Telescope. We also analyzed the total spectrum (visible + near infrared) with high spectral resolution of Makemake. This transnetunian object is known for its methane-rich composition. In this work, we found hints of nitrogen on its surface and compared the results with Eris, another transnetunian object dominated by methane that also has hints of nitrogen.
