asteroid_query

sofia_redux.calibration.standard_model.horizons.asteroid_query(target, date, time)[source]

Queries the JPL Horizons database for asteroid information.

Asteroids require additional handling beyond what’s needed for planets, so they need a separate function.

Parameters:
targetstr

Name of asteroid

datedatetime.Date, str

Date of observation (UTC)

timedatetime.Time, str

Time of observation (UTC)

Returns:
paramsdict
Dictionary a of query results. Keys incude:

  • julian : Julian date of observation

  • albedo : Geometric albedo

  • gmag : Magnitude slope parameter

  • radius : Radius of the asteroid [km]

  • delta : Distance between asteroid and Earth [AU]

  • r : Distance between asteroid and Sun [AU]

  • phi : Phase angle (S-E-O) [deg]