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We present J, H and K band coronagraph images of the circumstellar envelope around IRC +10216 (CW Leo) obtained with a near infrared camera, CIAO and the 8.2 m Subaru telescope. A circular occulting mask of 2 �� in diameter was used to block out the light from the bright central object. The images show 2 collimated radial structures to the NNW and WNW, 2 fan-like structures to the S and NE, respectively, and 3 arc-like structures at a radius of 4 to 5 arcsec from the stellar center. We compare this intermediate size-scale structure to that seen on larger and smaller scales and find evidence for a deviation from spherically symmetric outflow beginning ∼150 years ago. Previous near infrared speckle imaging has revealed a complex clumpy structure on a scale of less than 200 mas, and it is likely that at least some of the radial features seen in our images could be due to shadowing by dust clumps close to the star.

Context. The object 2012 DA14 is a near-Earth asteroid with a size of several tens of meters. It had approached closely the Earth on 15 February, 2013 UT, providing an opportunity for precise measurements of this tiny asteroid. Aims. The solar phase angle of 2012 DA14 had varied widely around its closest approach but was almost constant during the following night. We performed time-series photometric observations on those two nights to determine the rotational properties and phase effect. Methods. The observations were carried out using the 0.55-m telescope at Saitama University, Japan. The R-band images were obtained continuously over a 2 hr period at the closest approach and for about 5 hr on the next night. Results. The lightcurve data from the second night indicates a rotational period of 11.0 +1.8/-0.6 hr and a peak-to-peak amplitude of 1.59 +/- 0.02 mag. The brightness variation before and after the closest approach was separated into two components that are derived from the rotation and phase effect. We found that the phase curve slope of this asteroid is significantly shallower than those of other L-type asteroids. Conclusions. We suggest that 2012 DA14 is coated with a coarse surface that lacks fine regolith particles and/or a high albedo surface., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics