Analytic Theory of the YORP Effect for Near-Spherical Objects

Details Analytic Theory of the YORP Effect for Near-Spherical Objects Analytic Theory of the YORP Effect for Near-Spherical Objects

May 2008

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008dda....39.0201n&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DDA meeting #39, #2.01

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The YORP effect is produced when the surface of a small object in the interplanetary space is heated by sunlight and re-radiates the absorbed energy in thermal wavelengths. The absorbed, reflected and emitted photons produce tiny torques on the small body which can change its spin rate and obliquity over planetary timescales. Previous theories of the YORP effect relied on numerical or semi-numerical evaluation of the radiation torques. Here we develop an alternative approach and calculate the YORP torques analytically. Our theory is limited to near-spherical objects. While unsuitable for a precise determination of torques on elongated and/or highly-irregular objects, the analytic theory helps to explain several general properties of the YORP torques that were identified in previous numerical works. We discuss applications of the analytic theory on near-spherical asteroids like 1998 KY26 and on more elongated and/or irregular objects like (1862) Apollo and (25143) Itokawa.

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