Lightcurves and the axis of rotation of 433 Eros

Abstract

Ten lightcurves and UBV photometry of 433 Eros were obtained between August 1972 and May 1975. The absolute magnitude of the lightcurve maximum is 10.75 and the phase coefficient is 0.025 mag/deg. There may be a small difference in B-V color between the northern and southern hemispheres. The pole of the axis of rotation is directed toward λ0 = 16°, β0 = 12°, ecliptic longitude and latitude, respectively, and the rotation is direct with a sidereal period of 0.d219599 or 5h16m13s4 ± 0.s2. The dimensions derived from the polarimetric albedo and the lightcurve amplitudes are 12km × 12km × 31km for a smooth cylinder with hemispherical ends. © 1976.