An Open-Access Web Tool for Light Curve Simulation and Analysis of Small Solar System Objects
We present a web-based application designed to simulate rotational light curves of small airless Solar System bodies under user-defined geometrical and physical conditions.
The tool integrates both physical and empirical photometric models and enables users to input custom shape models, surface properties, and viewing geometries. A dedicated module also computes projected silhouettes at the epoch of stellar occultations, allowing direct comparison with observed chords.
The application, developed in Python and Django, has been validated using well-characterized targets such as (136108) Haumea, (101955) Bennu, and (433) Eros, showing excellent agreement between synthetic and observed light curves and silhouettes. Beyond standard light curve simulations, the tool supports scenarios including surface heterogeneity, non-principal axis rotation (tumbling), and phase-angle effects.
This flexible and accessible platform provides a powerful resource for interpreting photometric data, supporting ongoing observation campaigns, and aiding future mission planning.
J. L. Rizos, J. L. Ortiz, P. J. Gutierrez, I. M. Navajas, L. M. Lara
Subjects: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP); Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics (astro-ph.IM)
Cite as: arXiv:2510.03192 [astro-ph.EP](or arXiv:2510.03192v2 [astro-ph.EP] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2510.03192
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Submission history
From: Juan Luis Rizos Dr
[v1] Fri, 3 Oct 2025 17:24:09 UTC (7,301 KB)
[v2] Wed, 8 Oct 2025 18:01:26 UTC (7,301 KB)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.03192
Astrobiology, Astrogeology,
