Rotation period determination for asteroid 9021 Fagus

Abstract

Lightcurve analysis of the asteroid 9021 Fagus observed at the Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory Rozhen during two apparitions in 2013 and 2017 are presented. This asteroid was observed in 2013 accidentally in the field of view in which our long-term target asteroid 901 Brunsia was positioned. A search of the Asteroid Lightcurve Database (Warner et al. 2009) did not find any previously reported results for the rotation period of 9021 Fagus. Unfortunately two nights observations in 2013 showed that the rotation period could be only approximately assumed. The observations during two neighbouring nights in 2017 March 20 and 21 revealed the period of $5.065 \pm 0.002$ h with amplitude of $0.73\pm0.02$ mag. Obtained lightcurves in combination with other observational techniques, as well as with data gathered from future space mission will contribute to the enlargement of the database for rotational characteristics of the asteroids.