The Messenger Astronomical Science
Minor Planet Science with the VISTA Hemisphere Survey
No. 167 (March 2017), 16–19
We have carried out a serendipitous search for Solar System objects imaged by the VISTA Hemisphere Survey (VHS) and have identified 230 375 valid detections for 39 947 objects. This information is available in three catalogues, entitled MOVIS. The distributions of the data in colour-colour plots show clusters identified with the different taxonomic asteroid types. Diagrams that use (Y–J) colour separate the spectral classes more effectively than any other method based on colours. In particular, the endclass members A-, D-, R-, and V-types occupy well-defined regions and can be easily identified. About 10 000 asteroids were classified taxonomically using a probabilistic approach. The distribution of basaltic asteroids across the Main Belt was characterised using the MOVIS colours: 477 V-type candidates were found, of which 244 are outside the Vesta dynamical family.
Cite this article:
Popescu, M., Licandro, J., Morate, D., de León, J., Nedelcu, D.; Minor Planet Science with the VISTA Hemisphere Survey. The Messenger 167 (March 2017): 16–19. https://doi.org/10.18727/0722-6691/5003