(20882) 2000 VH57: AN INNER MAIN-BELT BINARY ASTEROID.

Abstract

CCD photometric observations of the inner main-belt asteroid (20882) 2000 VH57 were made from 2018 Sept. 15 through Oct. 20. Analysis of the data showed that the asteroid is binary with a primary rotational period of 2.5586 hr and a satellite orbital period of 32.81 hr. Mutual eclipse/occultation events indicate a lower limit on the secondary-to-primary mean diameter ratio (Ds/Dp) of 0.23. During the period of observations, the primary and secondary lightcurves evolved as the viewing aspect changed. In particular, the depth of the secondary event increased significantly towards the end of the observations.