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Context. The third data release of Gaia, in June 2022, included the first large sample of sparse photometric data for more than 150 000 Solar System objects (SSOs), mainly asteroids. Aims. The SSO photometric data can be processed to derive information on the physical properties for a large number of objects, including spin properties, surface photometric behaviour in a variety of illumination conditions, and overall shape. Methods. After selecting a set of 22 815 objects for which an adequate number of accurate photometric measurements had been obtained by Gaia, we applied the 'genetic' algorithm of photometric inversion developed by the Gaia Data Processing and Analysis Consortium to process SSO photometric data. Given the need to minimise the required data processing time, the algorithm was set to adopt a simple triaxial ellipsoid shape model. Results. Our results show that in spite of the limited variety of observing circumstances and the limited numbers of measurements per object at present (in the majority of cases no greater than 40 and still far from the number expected at the end of the mission of about 60–70), the proportion of correct determinations for the spin period among the observed targets is about 85%. This percentage is based on a comparison with reliable literature data following a moderate filtering procedure developed to remove dubious solutions. Conclusions. The analysis performed in this paper is important in the context of developing further improvements to the adopted data reduction procedure. This includes the possible development of better solution filtering procedures that take into account, for each object, the possible presence of multiple, equivalent spin period solutions that have not been systematically investigated in this preliminary application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The Carte du Ciel archive at the University of Helsinki enables us to see the sky as it was about 120 yr ago. The archive consists of single-exposure and triple-exposure plates between epochs 1896.8–1925.8. Aims. Our main aim is to find binary and multiple stars by combining Carte du Ciel and Gaia data. Methods. The plates were digitised with a commercial digital camera. We used Gaia data to calculate predicted coordinates of stars at the epoch of each plate. These stars were used as reference stars to fit astrometry for each plate, giving fitted coordinates for stars on the Carte du Ciel plates. If the predicted and fitted coordinates differed at a significant level, we classified the star as a non-single star, for which the proper motion values given in the Gaia catalogue can be unreliable. Results. We find that several astrometric quality indicators of Gaia indicate that the uncertainties of Gaia's single-star model fit are, in general, larger for our non-single-star candidates. The percentage of our non-single-star candidates, which are in the catalogues of known binary stars, is relatively low, ~10% at maximum. Conclusions. The combination of the Carte du Ciel and Gaia data can be used to identify candidates of non-single stars. We propose that the sources with a significant difference between the predicted and fitted coordinates are long-period binaries, although astrophysical and/or instrumental effects as origin for the coordinate difference cannot be excluded for individual cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. We assess statistical inversion of asteroid rotation periods, pole orientations, shapes, and phase curve parameters from photometric lightcurve observations, here sparse data from the ESA Gaia space mission (Data Release 2) or dense and sparse data from ground-based observing programs. Aims. Assuming general convex shapes, we develop inverse methods for characterizing the Bayesian a posteriori probability density of the parameters (unknowns). We consider both random and systematic uncertainties (errors) in the observations, and assign weights to the observations with the help of Bayesian a priori probability densities. Methods. For general convex shapes comprising large numbers of parameters, we developed a Markov-chain Monte Carlo sampler (MCMC) with a novel proposal probability density function based on the simulation of virtual observations giving rise to virtual least-squares solutions. We utilized these least-squares solutions to construct a proposal probability density for MCMC sampling. For inverse methods involving triaxial ellipsoids, we update the uncertainty model for the observations. Results. We demonstrate the utilization of the inverse methods for three asteroids with Gaia photometry from Data Release 2: (21) Lutetia, (26) Proserpina, and (585) Bilkis. First, we validated the convex inverse methods using the combined ground-based and Gaia data for Lutetia, arriving at rotation and shape models in agreement with those derived with the help of Rosetta space mission data. Second, we applied the convex inverse methods to Proserpina and Bilkis, illustrating the potential of the Gaia photometry for setting constraints on asteroid light scattering as a function of the phase angle (the Sun-object-observer angle). Third, with the help of triaxial ellipsoid inversion as applied to Gaia photometry only, we provide additional proof that the absolute Gaia photometry alone can yield meaningful photometric slope parameters. Fourth, for (585) Bilkis, we report, with 1-σ uncertainties, a refined rotation period of (8.5750559 ± 0.0000026) h, pole longitude of 320.6° ± 1.2°, pole latitude of − 25.6° ± 1.7°, and the first shape model and its uncertainties from convex inversion. Conclusions. We conclude that the inverse methods provide realistic uncertainty estimators for the lightcurve inversion problem and that the Gaia photometry can provide an asteroid taxonomy based on the phase curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Sparse photometric data can be used to determine the spin properties and infer information about the shapes of asteroids. The algorithm adopted for the inversion of Gaia photometric data assumes, for the sake of simplicity and to minimize CPU execution time, that the objects have triaxial ellipsoid shapes. In the past, this algorithm was tested against large sets of simulated data and small numbers of sparse photometric measurements obtained by HIPPARCOS. Aims. After the second Gaia data release, it is now possible to test the inversion algorithm against small samples of actual Gaia data for the first time. At the same time, we can attempt a new inversion of older HIPPARCOS measurements, using an updated version of the photometric inversion algorithm. Methods. The new version of our inversion algorithm includes the treatment of a Lommel-Seeliger scattering relation especially developed for the case of triaxial ellipsoid shapes. In addition, we also performed inversion attempts using a more refined shape model, based on the so-called cellinoid shapes. Results. With respect to the old inversion of HIPPARCOS data carried out in the past, we obtain only marginal improvements. In the case of Gaia data, however, we obtain very encouraging results. A successful determination of the rotation period is possible in most cases, in spite of the limited time span covered by data published in the second Gaia data release (GDR2), which makes the determination of the spin axis direction still uncertain. Even a small number of measurements, less than 30 in many cases, are sufficient to obtain a satisfactory inversion solution. Using the more realistic cellinoid shape model, we find further improvement in the determination of the spin period. Conclusions. This is a relevant validation of GDR2 photometry of asteroids, and proof of the satisfactory performances of the adopted inversion algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Polarimetric characteristics of comets at large heliocentric distances is a relatively unexplored area; we extend the idea by adding and analysing the data for three Jupiter family comets (JFCs). Methods. With the FORS2 instrument of the ESO VLT, we performed quasi-simultaneous photometry and polarimetry of three active JFCs 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh, and 152P/Helin-Lawrence. Results. We obtained in total 23 polarimetric measurements at different epochs, covering a phase-angle range ∼1◦−16◦ and heliocentric distances from 3 to 4.6 au. From our observations we obtained both colour and polarimetric maps to look for structures in the comae and tails of the comets. Conclusions. 74P/Smirnova-Chernykh and 152P/Helin-Lawrence exhibit enough activity at large heliocentric distances to be detectable in polarimetric measurements. Polarimetric and colour maps indicate no evidence of dust particle evolution in the coma. From near-infrared spectra we find no evidence of water ice in the coma of comet 152P/Helin-Lawrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The scattering of light by an asteroid's surface depends on the properties of its particles, volume density, and roughness. It is described by the reflection coefficient which, upon integration over the illuminated and observed part of the surface, yields the disk-integrated photometric brightness of the asteroid. The Lommel-Seeliger reflection coefficient is applicable to dark, low-albedo C-class asteroids, with prospects for moderate-albedo S-class and M-class asteroids. Aims. We calculate the disk-integrated brightness for an ellipsoidal asteroid with a Lommel-Seeliger reflection coefficient (LS ellipsoid). Furthermore, we calculate the photocenter for the LS ellipsoid, that is, the distance of the center of light from the barycenter. Methods. Because of their analytical nature, the closed-form expressions can be readily utilized in numerical simulations. Results. We show lightcurves and photocenter variations for realistic examples of ellipsoidal shapes for a number of pole orientations. The results highlight the reciprocity principle of the radiative-transfer theory and suggest a nontrivial dependence of the photocenter on the pole orientation and viewing geometry. Conclusions. Finally, we outline a number of applications and future prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The surface properties of atmosphereless solar system objects can be constrained by investigating the nature of the polarized light scattered from their surfaces. Aims. We provide new and precise measurements of the phase angle and the wavelength dependence of linear polarization on the leading side of Iapetus over the maximum phase angle range accessible from Earth (∼0.5-6.0°) and over a broad spectral range (400-800 nm), thereby identifying the polarimetric characteristics of its dark material. Moreover, we provide circular spectral polarization measurement of the same side of Iapetus at one phase angle, which was performed aiming at detection of chiral signatures on its surface. We also compare our new polarization measurements with those of the trailing hemisphere of Iapetus which were obtained in our previous work. Methods. Using the FORS2 instrument of the ESO VLT, we performed spectro-polarimetric observations of Iapetus' leading side. Results. While the linear polarization measurements of Iapetus' leading side show an opposite trend in phase angle dependence to that of its trailing hemisphere, the polarization values measured for the two hemispheres around similar phase angles (in the range ∼3.0-6.0°) differ by a factor of three. Besides this, the degree of negative linear polarization of Iapetus' leading hemisphere shows a slight dependence on the wavelengths of observations. Furthermore, like that of its trailing hemisphere, the circular polarization measurement of Iapetus' leading side indicates no evidence of a significant amount of optically active (chiral) molecules on its surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. We study the surface properties of trans-Neptunian populations of solar system bodies. Aims. We investigate the surface characteristics of the dwarf planet (136472) Makemake and the resonant object (90482) Orcus. Methods. Using the FORS2 instrument of the ESO-VLT, we carried out linear polarisation measurements of Makemake and Orcus. Results. Polarisation of Orcus is similar to that of smaller-sized objects. The polarimetric properties of Makemake are very close to those of Eris and Pluto. We did not find any significant differences in the polarisation properties of trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs) from different dynamical classes. However, there are significant differences in the polarisation of the large objects and the smaller ones and between large TNOs with water-ice and methane-ice dominated surfaces. Conclusions. We confirm the different types of polarisation phase behaviour for the largest and smaller-sized TNOs. To explain subtle surface polarisation of Pluto, Makemake and Eris, we assume that their surfaces are covered by a thin layer of hoarfrost masking the surface structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low abundance of refractory carbonaceous material in samples collected by Stardust in comet 81P/Wild 2 coma was completely unexpected. If these results are universal to other comets, this necessitates a reformulation of current models of solar system formation. A polarimetric imaging analysis demonstrates that dust is not uniformly distributed within cometary coma, and that the circumnucleus halo region where the dust samples were collected must contain a low population of carbonaceous particles. Such regions are seen in other comets, suggesting that comet 81P/Wild 2 is not unusual and that the anomalous lack of carbon is not necessarily representative of the entire coma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]