Simulation Analysis of Asteroid Lightcurve and Inversion of Shape Parameters

The light curve, which depicts the temporal variation of an asteroid's brightness as observed through continuous monitoring over a defined period, serves as a valuable data source containing information about the asteroid's orbital characteristics, rotational behavior, physical shape, and thermal properties. In this study, we develop a photometric model for asteroids by incorporating their three-dimensional shape, rotational state, and phase angle effects, with the primary objective of simulating and generating accurate light curves. Using a triaxial ellipsoid model as the theoretical framework, we analyze how various physical parameters influence the resulting light curve characteristics. Specifically, we investigate light curve variations under both principal axis rotation and non-principal axis rotation. Through this analysis, we establish quantitative relationships between the observed light curve features and the asteroid's fundamental rotational and shape parameters. Building upon these findings, we perform parameter fitting of observed asteroid light curves using both the triaxial ellipsoid model and the more complex convex polyhedron model. This dual-model approach enables us to invert and determine the asteroid's actual rotation parameters and shape characteristics from observational data.