Observational Study of the Rotation Rates of Very Small Near-Earth Asteroids

Details Observational Study of the Rotation Rates of Very Small Near-Earth Asteroids Observational Study of the Rotation Rates of Very Small Near-Earth Asteroids

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.3413r&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #56.03

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

A program implemented at the Magdalena Ridge Observatory's (MRO) 2.4-meter telescope has as its objective to contribute to the study of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) by working in partnership with survey programs to provide astrometric follow up and physical characterization data (lightcurves) on the faintest objects discovered. Lightcurves collected on asteroids primarily smaller than 200 meters have allowed the determination of rotation rates, adding to our physical knowledge of the small end of the NEO size distribution. The rotation rate of an object can imply essential information about its material properties (via deduction of strength-spin boundary limits) and more data can help validate current theories of the relationship between spin limits and overall strength. Previously, extensive work had been done to acquire rotation rates for asteroids greater than 200 meters; however the data are still lacking for objects in the less than 200 meter size-range.
Rotation rates derived from the lightcurves collected to date indicate that the asteroids studied in this small size regime exhibit both slow (hours) and fast (minutes) rotation periods. With respect to superfast rotators, one object in our database of special note is asteroid 2009 BF2 (approximately 27 meters in diameter) which is the second fastest rotator yet discovered, with a rotation period of about 58 seconds. Additionally, this survey has collected three lightcurves for objects with absolute magnitudes H > 22 that have been observed to be rotating more slowly (greater than 7 hours) than the presumed strengthless body limit. In particular, 2008 UP100 exhibits an amplitude of 1.2 magnitudes or greater even after correcting to zero phase. Recent modeling of rubble pile structures indicates that this borders on or exceeds the elongation limit of a slowly rotating strengthless object, implying the possible existence of tensile strength.
This research is funded through NASA's NEOO program.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Observational Study of the Rotation Rates of Very Small Near-Earth Asteroids does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Observational Study of the Rotation Rates of Very Small Near-Earth Asteroids, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observational Study of the Rotation Rates of Very Small Near-Earth Asteroids will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1333135