ROTATIONAL PROPERTIES OF SMALL ASTEROIDS - PHOTOELECTRIC OBSERVATIONSOF 16 ASTEROIDS

Continuing the observational program started in 1984 on small asteroid s (diameter smaller than about 50 km), we present the results of photo metric observations performed with a 1-m telescope at the ESO (La Sill a, Chile). A total of 56 single-night lightcurves for 16 asteroids wer e obtained. All the objects were observed for the first time and the r otational periods have been determined for 11 (142 Polana, 188 Menippe , 278 Paulina, 526 Jena, 564 Dudu, 1087 Arabis, 1105 Fragraria, 1214 R ichilde, 1514 Ricouxa, 2791 Paradise, 3052 Herzen). For 655 Briseis, 8 23 Sisigambis, 847 Agnia, 1591 Baize, and 3237 Victorplatt the complet e rotational phase was not covered and in some case only an indication of the rotational period has been possible. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.