We present results from 28 stellar occultations by the large Trans-Neptunian Object (50000) Quaoar registered between 2018 and 2025. By performing a joint analysis of this occultation data-set, along with other 9 published events, we were able to fit an oblate ellipsoid shape, with equatorial semi-axes, a and b of 566.1+2.5-2.2 km, and a polar semi-axis, c, of 511.2+3.6-3.7 km. It provides an equivalent volumetric diameter of 1094.4 +/- 4.6 km and polar oblateness of 0.097 +/- 0.011. Considering an absolute magnitude of H = 2.79 +/- 0.35, we derive a geometric albedo of pV = 0.125 +/- 0.038. We have derived new upper limits to the surface pressure of a CH4 atmosphere of 0.15 nbar (1-sigma) and 0.65 nbar (3-sigma). We also provide a table with the 36 new astrometric positions for Quaoar. Using the new system mass derived from Weywot's orbit around Quaoar, we calculated a density of 1.760 +/- 0.109 g/cm3. Moreover, from the derived size and rotation period (8.8394 +/- 0.0002 hours (Ortiz et al. 2003)), we calculate that, if Quaoar is in Maclaurin hydrostatic equilibrium state, it would have a density of 1.859 +/- 0.200 g/cm3. This result, within the error bars, is compatible with the value we found. Therefore, this work shows that Quaoar can be a Maclaurin object, being eligible as a dwarf planet.

Stellar occultations, when a distant object passes in front of a star and casts a shadow on Earth, are a powerful tool to probe the physical properties of solar system bodies. They enable precise size and shape measurements and can reveal rings, satellites, atmospheres, or surface features. Here we present results from two stellar occultations by Hi'iaka, dwarf planet Haumea's largest satellite, observed in April 2021. The second event yielded the first documented multi-chord occultation involving a trans-Neptunian satellite other than Charon. Combining these data with photometric observations, we find that Hi'iaka is a triaxial ellipsoid with a volume-equivalent diameter of 370 ± 20 km and a density of 640 ± 80 kg/m³, indicating a porous interior. The visible geometric albedo is 0.76 ± 0.15 , (∼ 30 % higher than Haumea's). The combination of low density and rapid rotation (9.68 ± 0.02 hours), under the assumption of a homogeneous body, indicates that Hi'iaka deviates from hydrostatic equilibrium.

IntroductionAsteroid (22) Kalliope is the second largest M-type asteroid in the main-belt after (16) Psyche. Kalliope has a bright satellite (D ~ 28km), Linus, discovered in 2001 [Me01, Ma01]. Albeit being a privileged target for adaptive optics (AO) ground-based observations, its density remains elusive with values ranging between 2.4 and 3.7 g cm-3 [Ma03, Dr21]. Here, we present a complete characterization of the topography, bulk density, and internal structure of Kalliope, as well as the dynamic of the system based on high angular resolution imaging observations performed with VLT/SPHERE as part of an ESO large programme (ID: 199.C-0074).ObservationWe obtained 35 images of Kalliope at 7 epochs near opposition between March and May 2018 and in June 2019 with the VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL AO instrument. The first apparition in 2018 covered the south pole of Kalliope while during the second it was close to an equator-on geometry. The north pole was not completely imaged, although 88% of the surface was covered at least once. We compiled 145 lightcurves from databases and we acquired new ones during the 2018 apparition to be used in the 3D shape modelling.For the determination of Linus’s orbit, we complemented the SPHERE images with a compilation of archival data from other large ground-based AO instruments (KeckII/NIRC2, ESO/VLT/NACO and Gemini-North/NIRI). We obtained a total of 82 measurements spanning 42 epochs from 2001 to 2019.MethodsWe generated shape models of Kalliope with three different shape modelling techniques. We first used the inversion algorithm ADAM [Vi15] and the genetic algorithm SAGE [B18, Du20] that both take lightcurves and AO images as inputs.We then applied our Multi-resolution PhotoClinometry by Deformation (MPCD; [C13, F20]) method on the SPHERE images to reconstruct Kalliope’s 3D shape, starting from both the ADAM and the SAGE models as initial meshes.To study the dynamic of the system, the relative position of Kalliope and Linus were first measured on the images. Then, we used the meta-heuristic algorithm Genoid [Va12] to accurately determine the orbital elements.Results and conclusionsThe volume of Kalliope from the different modelling techniques and the mass constrained by the precise measurements of its satellite orbit yield a density of ~4.1 g cm-3. This high density is comparable within errors to that of the metallic asteroid (16) Psyche. The best orbital solutions for the satellite are found when the quadrupole J2 tends toward 0. However, Kalliope’s shape implies a non-zero J2 when assuming a homogeneous interior density. This suggests an inhomogeneous, differentiated internal structure. Bibliography[B18] Bartczak, P. and Dudzinski, G. 2018, MNRAS, 473[C13] Capanna, C., Gesquière, G., Jorda, L., Lamy, P., & Vibert, D. 2013, The Visual Computer, 29, 825[Dr21] Drummond, J. D., Merline, W. J., Carry, B., et al. 2021, Icarus, 358[Du20] Dudzinski, G., Podlewska-Gaca, E., Bartczak, P., et al. 2020, MNRAS, 499[F20] Ferrais, M., Vernazza, P., Jorda, L., et al. 2020, A&A, 638, L15[Ma01] Margot, J. L. and Brown, M. E. 2001, IAU Circ., 7703, 3[Ma03] Margot, J. L. and Brown, M. E. 2003, Science, 300, 1939[Me01] Merline, W. J., Menard, F., Close, L., et al. 2001, IAU Circ., 7703, 2[Va12] Vachier, F., Berthier, J. and Marchis, F. 2012, A&1, 543, A68[Vi15] Viikinkoski, M., Kaasalainen, M., & Durech, J. 2015, A&A, 576, A8

Planetary rings are observed not only around giant planets1, but also around small bodies such as the Centaur Chariklo2 and the dwarf planet Haumea3. Up to now, all known dense rings were located close enough to their parent bodies, being inside the Roche limit, where tidal forces prevent material with reasonable densities from aggregating into a satellite. Here we report observations of an inhomogeneous ring around the trans-Neptunian body (50000) Quaoar. This trans-Neptunian object has an estimated radius4 of 555 km and possesses a roughly 80-km satellite5 (Weywot) that orbits at 24 Quaoar radii6,7. The detected ring orbits at 7.4 radii from the central body, which is well outside Quaoar’s classical Roche limit, thus indicating that this limit does not always determine where ring material can survive. Our local collisional simulations show that elastic collisions, based on laboratory experiments8, can maintain a ring far away from the body. Moreover, Quaoar’s ring orbits close to the 1/3 spin–orbit resonance9 with Quaoar, a property shared by Chariklo’s2,10,11 and Haumea’s3 rings, suggesting that this resonance plays a key role in ring confinement for small bodies. The authors report observations of a dense and inhomogeneous ring at a surprisingly large distance from the trans-Neptunian body Quaoar.

The NASA Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) spacecraft was the first Planetary Defence mission to hit an asteroid, specifically the moon of Didymos, Dimorphos [1]. This impact altered Dimorphos's orbital parameters and excavating significant amount of material. The resultant was observed through limited ground-based telescopes, and for several months after the impact, the asteroid became the first man-made active asteroid, exhibiting mass loss that manifested as a tail, which changed over time [2].The measurements presented here derive from a unique set of photometric data obtained from the ground over several months covering the period before, during and after the impact, between August 2022 and January 2023. The data set taken in collaboration with ESA at Les Makes Observatory (La Réunion) [3], was excellently located to observe the impact and contains more than 8500 images taken over multiple months before and after impact. Another unique data set comes from the TRAPPIST telescopes network [4], two 0.6-m twin telescopes located in Morocco and in Chile. The data from TRAPPIST, contain almost 14 000 images, spanning several months. The images were taken in different filters, for photometric and colour measurements that gave us more information about the asteroid and also the dust composition of the ejecta tail. Here, we present the observations, their analysis and preliminary results on the evolution of ejecta plume and the long-lasting tail.AcknowledgementThis research is funded by the University of Liège and takes place under the COMETA team, and is made possible through TRAPPIST that is a project funded by the Belgian Fonds (National) de la Recherche Scientifique (F.R.S.-FNRS) under grant T.0120.21 and the support and collaboration of the Royal Observatory of Belgium, Les Makes Observatory, and the European Space Agency. Özgur Karateking, acknowledges the support of European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program, NEO-MAPP project (grant: 870377) as well as the funding support from the PRODEX program managed by the European Space Agency (ESA) with help of the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO). Reference[1] Nancy L. Chabot et al (including Petrescu E.), PSJ 5:49 (24pp), 2024 February 2024;[2] Nicholas Moskovitz et al 2024 Planet. Sci. J. 5 35;[3] https://www.observatoiredesmakes.com/[4] Jehin E. et al, The Messenger, vol. 145, p. 2-6, 2

Aims. We present a campaign designed to train the Global Rapid Advanced Network Devoted to the Multi-messenger Addicts (GRANDMA) network and its infrastructure to follow up on transient alerts and detect their early afterglows. In preparation for O4 II campaign, we focused on gamma-ray burst (GRB) alerts since they are expected to serve as the electromagnetic counterpart of gravitational-wave events. Our goal was to improve our response to the alerts and to start prompt observations as soon as possible, so that we may better prepare the GRANDMA network for the fourth observational run of LIGO-Virgo-Kagra (launched at the end of May 2023) and future missions such as SM. Methods. We set up a dedicated infrastructure and organized a rota of follow-up advocates (FAs) to guarantee round-the-clock assistance to our telescope teams, with an aim to receive, manage, and send out observational plans to our partner telescopes. To ensure a large number of observations, we focused on Swift GRBs whose localization errors were generally smaller than the GRANDMA telescopes’ field of view. This allowed us to bypass the transient identification process and focus on the reaction time and efficiency of the network. Results. During the ‘Ready for O4 II’ phase, 11 Swift /INTEGRAL GRB triggers were selected. Of these, nine fields had been observed and three afterglows had been detected (GRB 220403B, GRB 220427A, GRB 220514A) with 17 GRANDMA telescopes and 17 amateur astronomers from the citizen science project Kilonova-Catcher. Here, we highlight the GRB 220427A analysis, where our long-term follow-up of the host galaxy allowed us to obtain a photometric redshift of z = 0.82 ± 0.09 and its lightcurve evolution, as well as to fit the decay slope of the afterglows and study the properties of the host galaxy. Conclusions. During this eight-week-long GRB follow-up campaign, we successfully fulfilled our goal of training telescope teams for O4 and improving the associated technical toolkits. For seven of the GRB alerts, our network was able to start the first observations less than one hour after the GRB trigger time. We also characterized the network efficiency to observe GRB afterglow given the resulting time delay and limiting magnitude, and to its light curve evolution based on the observation of GRB 220427A.

Two stellar occultations by the largest satellite of the dwarf planet Haumea, Hi'iaka, were predicted to happen on April, 6th and 16th, 2021. Additional high accuracy astrometric analysis was carried out in order to refine the prediction for April 6th, using several telescopes in the 1.2-m to 2-m range, with the final shadow path crossing North Africa. We successfully detected the first event from TRAPPIST-North telescope at Oukaïmeden Observatory (Morocco). Although it was recorded from only one site, this first detection allowed us to improve the prediction for the second that crossed North America from East to West. We had a good success recording six positive detections and several negative detections that constrain the shape and size of the body. The light curves obtained from the different observatories provide the time at which the star disappears and reappears, which are translated into chords (the projected lines on the sky-plane as observed from each location). Additionally, we carried out a campaign to study Hi'iaka's rotational light-curve, studying the residuals of Haumea's rotational light-curve to a four-order Fourier fit. We obtained the rotational phases at the times of the occultations, which is critical for the analysis of the occultations, given that Hi’iaka is clearly non-spherical. Our preliminary results show that Hi'iaka indeed has a triaxial shape with a larger effective diameter than what has been published so far. The preliminary results and their implications will be discussed in this talk.

Every population of small bodies in the Solar system contains a sizable fraction of multiple systems. Among these, the Jupiter Trojans have the lowest number of known binary systems and the least characterized. We aim at characterizing the reported binary system (17365) Thymbraeus, one of the only seven multiple systems known among Jupiter Trojans. We conducted light curves observing campaigns in 2013, 2015, and 2021 with ground-based telescopes. We model these lightcurves using dumbbell equilibrium figures. We show that Thymbraeus is unlikely a binary system. Its light curves are fully consistent with a bilobated shape: a dumbbell equilibrium figure. We determine a low density of 830 +/- 50 kg.m-3 , consistent with the reported density of other Jupiter Trojan asteroids and small Kuiper-belt objects. The angular velocity of Thymbraeus is close to fission. If separated, its components would become a similarly-sized double asteroid such as the other Jupiter Trojan (617) Patroclus.

We present a campaign designed to train the GRANDMA network and its infrastructure to follow up on transient alerts and detect their early afterglows. In preparation for O4 II campaign, we focused on GRB alerts as they are expected to be an electromagnetic counterpart of gravitational-wave events. Our goal was to improve our response to the alerts and start prompt observations as soon as possible to better prepare the GRANDMA network for the fourth observational run of LIGO-Virgo-Kagra (which started at the end of May 2023), and future missions such as SM. To receive, manage and send out observational plans to our partner telescopes we set up dedicated infrastructure and a rota of follow-up adcates were organized to guarantee round-the-clock assistance to our telescope teams. To ensure a great number of observations, we focused on Swift GRBs whose localization errors were generally smaller than the GRANDMA telescopes' field of view. This allowed us to bypass the transient identification process and focus on the reaction time and efficiency of the network. During 'Ready for O4 II', 11 Swift/INTEGRAL GRB triggers were selected, nine fields had been observed, and three afterglows were detected (GRB 220403B, GRB 220427A, GRB 220514A), with 17 GRANDMA telescopes and 17 amateur astronomers from the citizen science project Kilonova-Catcher. Here we highlight the GRB 220427A analysis where our long-term follow-up of the host galaxy allowed us to obtain a photometric redshift of $z=0.82\pm0.09$, its lightcurve elution, fit the decay slope of the afterglows, and study the properties of the host galaxy.

Cybele asteroids constitute an appealing reservoir of primitive material genetically linked to the outer Solar System, and the physical properties of the largest members can be readily accessed by large telescopes. We took advantage of the bright apparition of (65) Cybele in July and August 2021 to acquire high-angular-resolution images and optical light curves of the asteroid with which we aim to analyse its shape and bulk properties. 7 series of images acquired with VLT/SPHERE were combined with optical light curves to reconstruct the shape of the asteroid using the ADAM, MPCD, and SAGE algorithms. The origin of the shape was investigated by means of N-body simulations. Cybele has a volume-equivalent diameter of 263+/-3km and a bulk density of 1.55+/-0.19g.cm-3. Notably, its shape and rotation state are closely compatible with those of a Maclaurin equilibrium figure. The lack of a collisional family associated with Cybele and the higher bulk density of that body with respect to other large P-type asteroids suggest that it never experienced any large disruptive impact followed by rapid re-accumulation. This would imply that its present-day shape represents the original one. However, numerical integration of the long-term dynamical evolution of a hypothetical family shows that it is dispersed by gravitational perturbations and chaotic diffusion over Gyrs of evolution. The very close match between Cybele and an equilibrium figure opens up the possibility that D>260km small bodies from the outer Solar System all formed at equilibrium. However, we cannot rule out an old impact as the origin of the equilibrium shape. Cybele itself is found to be dynamically unstable, implying that it was recently (<1Ga) placed on its current orbit either through slow diffusion from a relatively stable orbit in the Cybele region or, less likely, from an unstable, JFC orbit in the planet-crossing region.

Aims. The orbit of the outer satellite Alexhelios of (216) Kleopatra is already constrained by adaptive-optics astrometry obtained with the VLT/SPHERE instrument. However, there is also a preceding occultation event in 1980 attributed to this satellite. Here, we try to link all observations, spanning 1980–2018, because the nominal orbit exhibits an unexplained shift by + 60° in the true longitude. Methods. Using both a periodogram analysis and an ℓ = 10 multipole model suitable for the motion of mutually interacting moons about the irregular body, we confirmed that it is not possible to adjust the respective osculating period P 2 . Instead, we were forced to use a model with tidal dissipation (and increasing orbital periods) to explain the shift. We also analysed light curves spanning 1977–2021, and searched for the expected spin deceleration of Kleopatra. Results. According to our best-fit model, the observed period rate is Ṗ 2 = (1.8 ± 0.1) × 10 −8 d d −1 and the corresponding time-lag Δ t 2 = 42 s of tides, for the assumed value of the Love number k 2 = 0.3. This is the first detection of tidal evolution for moons orbiting 100 km asteroids. The corresponding dissipation factor Q is comparable with that of other terrestrial bodies, albeit at a higher loading frequency 2| ω − n |. We also predict a secular evolution of the inner moon, Ṗ 1 = 5.0 × 10 −8 , as well as a spin deceleration of Kleopatra, Ṗ 0 = 1.9 × 10 −12 . In alternative models, with moons captured in the 3:2 mean-motion resonance or more massive moons, the respective values of Δ t 2 are a factor of between two and three lower. Future astrometric observations using direct imaging or occultations should allow us to distinguish between these models, which is important for our understanding of the internal structure and mechanical properties of (216) Kleopatra.

Aims. We aim to increase the contrast limits to detect new satellites orbiting known asteroids. We use cutting-edge data reduction techniques and data processing algorithms that are essential to best analyse the raw data provided by the instruments and increase their performances. Doing so, the unequalled performances of SPHERE also make it a unique tool to resolve and study asteroids in the solar system, expanding the domain of its main science targets. Methods. We applied a newly developed data reduction pipeline for integral field spectrographs on archival SPHERE data of a resolved asteroid, (130) Elektra. It was coupled with a dedicated point spread function reconstruction algorithm to model the asteroid halo. Following the halo removal, the moon signal could be extracted more accurately. The moon positions were fitted at three epochs and were used to derive the orbital parameters via a genetic-based algorithm. Results. We announce the discovery of S/2014 (130) 2, a third moon orbiting (130) Elektra, making it the first quadruple asteroid ever found. It is identified in three different epochs, 9, 30, and 31 Dec. 2014, at a respective angular separation of 258 mas (333 km), 229 mas (327 km), and 319 mas (457 km). We estimate that this moon has a period of 0.679 day and a semi-major axis of 344 km, with an eccentricity of 0.33 and an inclination of 38 degrees compared to the primary rotation axis. With a relative magnitude to the primary of 10.5, its size is estimated to be 1.6 km.

We aim at studying the dynamical system of the asteroid (379) Huenna and its satellite, for which a discrepancy between its predicted and observed position was reported by DeMeo et al. (2011, Icarus, 212). We compile all the available images of the system acquired with large ground-based telescopes equipped with adaptive-optics fed camera. Based on these 40 observations covering 11 years, we determine the orbit of the satellite which is strongly affected by the gravitational influence of the Sun, as opposed to most satellites of large main-belt asteroids. Combining the mass of Huenna with a compilation of diameter estimates from the literature, we revise the estimate of its bulk density to 1491±249kg⋅m−3, consistent with its spectral classification as a P-type asteroid.

The Trans-Neptunian Object (50000) Quaoar, classified as a cubewano, is a dwarf planet candidate with a diameter of 1110 km [Br13], semi-major axis of 43.7 au and orbital eccentricity of 0.04. Its satellite Weywot orbits at 13,300 km from the primary object, and from its flux [Fr10], its diameter is about 90 km, assuming the same albedo as Quaoar. Several campaigns were conducted under the umbrella of the Lucky Star project (https://lesia.obspm.fr/lucky-star/) to observe stellar occultations by Quaoar and Weywot. Besides measuring Quaoar's and Weywot's size and shapes, those campaigns aimed at searching for material around Quaoar. Here, we will present the results of our search for rings around Quaoar based on the following observations: Dates Places of observations 2 September 2018 Namibia 5 June 2019 Canary Islands 11 June 2020 Australia, CHEOPS satellite 27 August 2021 Australia These campaigns were undertaken in a context where rings are already known to exists around other small bodies of the solar system: the Centaur object Chariklo [Br14] and the dwarf planet Haumea [Or17]. These two ring systems, in spite of large differences in sizes and heliocentric distances, both orbit close to the 1/3 Spin-Orbit Resonance (SOR) with the central body [Or17,Le17], meaning that the latter completes three rotations while a ring particle completes one orbital revolution. Because of their non-axisymmetric shapes, and contrarily to giant planets, Chariklo and Haumea induce strong SORs [Si19]. Theoretical calculations [Si21] and numerical simulations of collisional disks [Sa21] show that the 1/3 SOR is indeed a possible cause of confinement of a narrow ring. If ring exists at the Quaoar 1/3 SOR, it should be close to an orbital radius of 4,200 km. This represents 7.5 Quaoar's radii, well outside the Roche limit of the central body. So, if a dense ring were to be confined near this resonance, it is expected to accrete into a satellite, and thus disappear over a short time scale. We will discuss models that could maintain a colliding disk near the Quaoar 1/3 SOR in spite of this obstacle. Acknowledgments. The work leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Community's H2020 2014-2021 ERC Grant Agreement no. 669416 "Lucky Star" [Br13] Braga-Ribas et al., ApJ 773, 26 (2013) [Fr10] Fraser and Brown, ApJ, 714, 1547 (2010) [Le17] Leiva et al., Astron. J. 154, 159 (2017) [Or17] Ortiz et al., Nature 550, 219 (2017) [Sa21] Salo, H. et al., European Planetary Science Congress, EPSC2021-338 (2021) [Si19] Sicardy, B. et al., Nature Astronomy 3, 146 (2019) [Si21] Sicardy, B. et al., European Planetary Science Congress, EPSC2021-91 (2021)

Context. Asteroid (22) Kalliope is the second largest M-type asteroid in the main belt and is orbited by a satellite, Linus. Whereas the mass of Kalliope is already well constrained thanks to the presence of a moon, its volume is still poorly known, leading to uncertainties on its bulk density and internal structure. Aims. We aim to refine the shape of (22) Kalliope and thus its diameter and bulk density, as well as the orbit of its moon to better constrain its mass, hence density and internal structure. Methods. We acquired disk-resolved observations of (22) Kalliope using the VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument to reconstruct its three-dimensional (3D) shape using three different modeling techniques. These images were also used together with new speckle observations at the C2PU/PISCO instrument as well as archival images from other large ground-based telescopes to refine the orbit of Linus. Results. The volume of (22) Kalliope given by the shape models, corresponding to D = 150 ± 5 km, and the mass constrained by its satellite’s orbit yield a density of ρ = 4.40 ± 0.46 g cm−3. This high density potentially makes (22) Kalliope the densest known small body in the Solar System. A macroporosity in the 10–25% range (as expected for this mass and size), implies a grain density in the 4.8–5.9 g cm−3 range. Kalliope’s high bulk density, along with its silicate-rich surface implied by its low radar albedo, implies a differentiated interior with metal contributing to most of the mass of the body. Conclusions. Kalliope’s high metal content (40–60%) along with its metal-poor mantle makes it the smallest known Mercury-like body. A large impact at the origin of the formation of the moon Linus is likely the cause of its high metal content and density.

Context (121) Hermione is a large binary asteroid [1] located at the outer edge of the asteroid belt in the Cybele region, where asteroids are thought to be linked to the outer Solar System. Hermione has a Ch/Cgh-type that has been linked to CM chondrites. Adaptive optics observations between 2003 and 2008 suggest a rare bilobate shape for the primary [2,3]. However, Hermione’s shape and bulk density (ranging between 1.4 and 2 g.cm-3) remain poorly constrained to this day. Aim We acquired spatially resolved images and optical lightcurves of Hermione during its close apparition of September 2021. It was the best chance in 13 years to acquire such high angular resolution images (angular diameter = 0.14”). We aimed to constrain Hermione’s 3D shape, hence its volume, and the orbit of its satellite, hence the mass of the system. Combining the volume and the mass allows to constrain the bulk density with high accuracy. Methods We obtained 8 series of 5 images with the SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument on the Very Large Telescope (ESO Program ID 107.22UT.001; PI: P. Vernazza). These images were combined with optical lightcurves and stellar occultations by the ADAM and MPCD methods [4,5] to reconstruct the asteroid’s 3D shape. For the determination of the satellite’s orbit, we complemented the SPHERE images with a compilation of archival data from other large ground-based AO instruments (KeckII/NIRC2, ESO/VLT/NACO and Gemini-North/NIRI). Then, we used the meta-heuristic algorithm Genoid [6] to accurately determine the orbital elements. Results The determined volume and mass of Hermione yield a new higher bulk density of ~1.7 g.cm-3, more compatible with its Ch/Cgh classification. We will also present our analyse of the shape and compare it with other elongated Ch/Cgh asteroids. Bibliography [1] Merline et al. (2002), IAU Circ. 7980 [2] Marchis et al. (2005), Icarus, 178, 2, p. 450-464 [3] Descamps et al. (2009), Icarus, 203, 1, p. 88-101 [4] Viikinkoski, M., Kaasalainen, M., & Durech, J. (2015), A&A, 576, A8 [5] Capanna, C., Gesquière, G., Jorda, L., Lamy, P., & Vibert, D. (2013), The Visual Computer, 29, 825 [6] Vachier, F., Berthier, J. and Marchis, F. (2012), A&1, 543, A68

Context.Until recently, the 3D shape, and therefore density (when combining the volume estimate with available mass estimates), and surface topography of the vast majority of the largest (D ≥ 100 km) main-belt asteroids have remained poorly constrained. The improved capabilities of the SPHERE/ZIMPOL instrument have opened new doors into ground-based asteroid exploration.Aims.To constrain the formation and evolution of a representative sample of large asteroids, we conducted a high-angular-resolution imaging survey of 42 large main-belt asteroids with VLT/SPHERE/ZIMPOL. Our asteroid sample comprises 39 bodies withD ≥ 100 km and in particular mostD ≥ 200 km main-belt asteroids (20/23). Furthermore, it nicely reflects the compositional diversity present in the main belt as the sampled bodies belong to the following taxonomic classes: A, B, C, Ch/Cgh, E/M/X, K, P/T, S, and V.Methods.The SPHERE/ZIMPOL images were first used to reconstruct the 3D shape of all targets with both the ADAM and MPCD reconstruction methods. We subsequently performed a detailed shape analysis and constrained the density of each target using available mass estimates including our own mass estimates in the case of multiple systems.Results.The analysis of the reconstructed shapes allowed us to identify two families of objects as a function of their diameters, namely “spherical” and “elongated” bodies. A difference in rotation period appears to be the main origin of this bimodality. In addition, all but one object (216 Kleopatra) are located along the Maclaurin sequence with large volatile-rich bodies being the closest to the latter. Our results further reveal that the primaries of most multiple systems possess a rotation period of shorter than 6 h and an elongated shape (c∕a≤ 0.65). Densities in our sample range from ~1.3 g cm−3(87 Sylvia) to ~4.3 g cm−3(22 Kalliope). Furthermore, the density distribution appears to be strongly bimodal with volatile-poor (ρ≥ 2.7 g cm−3) and volatile-rich (ρ≤ 2.2 g cm−3) bodies. Finally, our survey along with previous observations provides evidence in support of the possibility that some C-complex bodies could be intrinsically related to IDP-like P- and D-type asteroids, representing different layers of a same body (C: core; P/D: outer shell). We therefore propose that P/ D-types and some C-types may have the same origin in the primordial trans-Neptunian disk.

Dynamical models of Solar System evolution have suggested that P-/D-type volatile-rich asteroids formed in the outer Solar System and may be genetically related to the Jupiter Trojans, the comets and small KBOs. Indeed, their spectral properties resemble that of anhydrous cometary dust. High-angular-resolution images of P-type asteroid (87) Sylvia with VLT/SPHERE were used to reconstruct its 3D shape, and to study the dynamics of its two satellites. We also model Sylvia's thermal evolution. The shape of Sylvia appears flattened and elongated. We derive a volume-equivalent diameter of 271 +/- 5 km, and a low density of 1378 +/- 45 kg.m-3. The two satellites orbit Sylvia on circular, equatorial orbits. The oblateness of Sylvia should imply a detectable nodal precession which contrasts with the fully-Keplerian dynamics of the satellites. This reveals an inhomogeneous internal structure, suggesting that Sylvia is differentiated. Sylvia's low density and differentiated interior can be explained by partial melting and mass redistribution through water percolation. The outer shell would be composed of material similar to interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) and the core similar to aqueously altered IDPs or carbonaceous chondrite meteorites such as the Tagish Lake meteorite. Numerical simulations of the thermal evolution of Sylvia show that for a body of such size, partial melting was unavoidable due to the decay of long-lived radionuclides. In addition, we show that bodies as small as 130-150 km in diameter should have followed a similar thermal evolution, while smaller objects, such as comets and the KBO Arrokoth, must have remained pristine, in agreement with in situ observations of these bodies. NASA Lucy mission target (617) Patroclus (diameter 140 km) may, however, be differentiated.