High-Level Project Summary
Build a database of light curves for rotating bodies with generic regular geometries, in such a way that when an asteroid with a certain unknown shape is found, an approximation of its shape can be built, through the process of superimposing the light curves of known objects. After stacking the curves, obtain an estimate of their shape. The mechanism that adapts light curves and shapes could be an artificial intelligence that selects the best composition of curves that satisfy the light curve of the object in question, and in the end, transforms through analytical processes of signals, the signal resulting in a possible geometric shape, which would be a theoretical approximation to object.
Link to Project "Demo"
Link to Final Project
Detailed Project Description
From a database of light curves related to the shapes of known objects (which has yet to be created), to be able to establish the shapes of objects whose light curves are captured by detectors arranged in the observatories for this purpose.
The program works from known initial conditions, such as the rotation speed and axis of rotation of an asteroid, that is, the orbital parameters of the body whose shape is to be known must be known. The experimental light curve that an asteroid produces and is captured by an observatory on Earth, is compared with a family of theoretical curves, created according to the history of previously cataloged objects, as well as objects of known regular geometries.
The project in question has the benefit of contributing in the processes of acquisition and parameterization of data of shapes of objects that are later known and as the data is updated and referenced by means of the dissociation of new object shape and found light curve. In the end, an artificial intelligence that must be programmed, would be in charge of adopting new shape data based on light curves, in such a way that the process of updating the databases is optimized.
Finally, it is important to highlight that the project was designed based on Geogebra educational software, to visualize in a didactic way, the light curves related to the shapes of objects of well-known geometries: spheres, ellipsoids, pyramids, etc.
Space Agency Data
Lucy NASA mission data were used to recognize in detail the problem to be solved, as well as the information on the way in which the light curves are captured, these data were fed with the work S.Motolla, et. (2020).
Hackathon Journey
First, we learned to improve our teamwork skills, inspired by a challenge that put our imagination to the test. With the problem of analyzing the light curves that asteroids cast when they are observed to eclipse a body of constant luminosity, we found a context in which, the exchange of ideas, allowed us to sketch a viable option to facilitate the interpretation of astronomical data.
References
Gosses, J. (s.f.). Copy of Open-Innovation_Tour_for_Space_Apps. Retrieved from https://sa-2019.s3.amazonaws.com/media/documents/NASAs_Open_Data_Universe.pdf
S.Motolla, et. (2020). Convex Shape and Rotation Model of Lucy Target (11351) Leucus from Lightcurves and Occultations. iopsciencie. Retrieved from https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/PSJ/abb942
Britannica. (s.f.). physical characteristics of asteroid. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/asteroid/Physical-characteristics-of-asteroids
Durham University. (2020, 06 17). Asteroid Light Curve. Retrieved from https://community.dur.ac.uk/physics.astrolab/a_lightcurve.html
Tags
#light curves, #asteroids forms, #geometry, #databases.
Global Judging
This project has been submitted for consideration during the Judging process.