A&A 462, 341-344 (2007)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20065448

Photometry of 2004 RZ164: a probable binary asteroid

T. Kwiatkowski¹, A. Kryszczynska¹, A. Marciniak¹, W. Borczyk¹, G. Masi², A. Galád^{3, 4}, R. Goncalves⁵, and F. Colas<sup>6

1</sup>  Astronomical Observatory, Adam Mickiewicz University, Sloneczna 36, 60-286 Poznan, Poland
    e-mail: tkastr@vesta.astro.amu.edu.pl
²  Department of Physics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
³  Modra Observatory, Department of Astronomy, Physics of the Earth, and Meteorology, FMPI, Comenius University, 842 48 Bratislava, Slovakia
⁴  Astronomical Institute AS CR, 251 65 Ondrejov, Czech Republic
⁵  Instituto Politecnico de Tomar, Area de Fisica, 2300-313 Tomar, Portugal
⁶  Institut de Mécanique Céleste, 77 Av. Denfert Rochereau, 75014 Paris, France

(Received 18 April 2006/ Accepted 27 September 2006)

Abstract
Aims.We observed a near-Earth asteroid 2004 RZ164 to study its rotational properties. The object was chosen because of its small diameter of about 700 m, which is close to the 150 m threshold, separating monolithic and rubble-pile asteroids.
Methods.With small telescopes at five observatories, equipped with CCD cameras, we obtained seven lightcurves, which were taken through the clear, R, and I filters.
Results.Despite significant changes in the observing geometries (and large phase angles during observations), the peak-to-peak amplitudes of the lightcurves never exceeded , suggesting the almost spheroidal shape of this asteroid. There is a signature of a probable occultation/eclipse event in one of the lightcurves, which suggests 2004 RZ164 is a binary asteroid. Its primary component spins with a period of and the orbital period of the system is longer than .

Key words: techniques: photometric -- minor planets, asteroids

© ESO 2007

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