Observed light curve of (3200) Phaethon

This justifies detailed study of (3200) Phaethon's physical properties as a better understanding of asteroid-comet transition objects can provide insight into minor body evolution. We therefore acquired time series photometry of (3200) Phaethon over 15 nights from 1994 to 2013, primarily using the Tektronix 2048x2048 pixel CCD on the University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescope.

We utilized light curve inversion to (1) refine (3200) Phaethon's rotational period to P=3.6032+/-0.0008 hr; (2) estimate a rotational pole orientation of {lambda}=+85{deg}+/-13{deg} and {beta}=-20{deg}+/-10{deg}; and (3) derive a shape model. We also used our extensive light curve data set to estimate the slope parameter of (3200) Phaethon's phase curve as G~0.06, consistent with C-type asteroids. We discuss how this highly oblique pole orientation with a negative ecliptic latitude supports previous evidence for (3200) Phaethon's origin in the inner main asteroid belt as well as the potential for deeply buried volatiles fueling impulsive yet rare cometary outbursts.