Physical studies of asteroids. VII - The unusual rotation of M and CMEU asteroids

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

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Asteroids, Light Curve, Planetary Rotation, Angular Momentum, Gravitational Fields

Scientific paper

The rotational properties of asteroids of unusual taxonomic types are not very well known, due to a rather small number of observed objects. In particular the suspected fast rotations and large lightcurve amplitudes of M and CMEU asteroids present an intriguing problem, since several different physical explanations seem possible. This paper presents observational results on the CMEU asteroid 125 Liberatrix. It shows a very short rotational period, Psyn = 3h.969 ± 0h.001, and a rather large amplitude, A = 0.32 ± 0.02 mag.
A preliminary analysis of the size dependence of the spin period distribution for M and CMEU asteroids is made. The results suggest a relationship between these taxonomic types and the LASPA class of elongated, fast-rotating asteroids which may have a peculiar origin in catastrophic impacts followed by shape relaxation into gravitational equilibrium figures.

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