A study of the asteroid (367943) Duende at Pulkovo Observatory

Abstract

Using the telescopes ZA-320 M and MTM-500 M of Pulkovo Observatory (Russia), we have carried out astrometric and photometric observations of the asteroid (367943) Duende (2012 DA14) immediately after its close approach to the Earth occurred on 2013 February 15. We have obtained a series of its astrometric positions, colour indices and two fragments of its light curve. By numerically integrating, we have studied the evolution of the asteroid's orbit. Also, the influence of solar radiation pressure and Yarkovsky effect on the asteroid was estimated. The fitting of the asteroid rotation model to the observed light curve indicates that during its closest approach to the Earth, it had tumbling rotation regime.