Determining the Rotational Period of a Minor Planet via Differential Photometry

We describe the method used to calibrate the West Point Observatory's telescope for the determination of asteroid rotational periods by the analysis of their light curves through differential CCD photometry. The techniques employed are illustrated using observations of the asteroid Eleonora 354 from August 2021 to October 2021 from the US Military Academy, located at West Point, NY. The calibration run was followed by the analysis of photometric data acquired from November 2021 to February 2022 for an asteroid with unknown rotational period. We also present progress made in automating the observatory using software running a script that allows image data collection throughout the night without the need of a person having to be physically present in the observatory. With weather sensors connected, this automation software shuts down the observatory in case of inclement weather unexpectedly rolling in during an imaging session.