The derivation of asteroid physical properties from Gaia observations

Gaia is expected to produce a major revolution in our knowledge of the asteroids. It will substantially move ahead the frontier of the domain of physical characterization of these bodies by means of remote observations. A list of physical properties that will be derived from analysis of the different observed transits of each object in the Gaia focal plane during 5 years of operational activity includes masses, sizes, average densities, spin properties, albedos, reflectance spectra, as well as a new taxonomic classification. The resulting post-Gaia scenario in asteroid science will be very much improved with respect to the current state of the art.