Mathematics – Probability
Scientific paper
Dec 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009icar..204..580p&link_type=abstract
Icarus, Volume 204, Issue 2, p. 580-588.
Mathematics
Probability
11
Scientific paper
We have studied statistical significance of asteroid pairs residing on similar heliocentric orbits with distances (approximately the current relative encounter velocity between orbits) up to d=36m/s in the five-dimensional space of osculating elements. We found candidate pairs from the Hungaria zone through the entire main belt as well as outside the main belt, one among Hildas and one in the Cybele zone. We first determined probability that the candidate pairs are just coincidental couples from the background asteroid population. Those with estimated probability <0.3 were further investigated. In particular we computed synthetic proper elements for the relevant asteroids and used them to determine the three-dimensional distance of the members in candidate pairs. We consider small separation in the proper-element space as a signature of a real asteroid pair; conversely, cases with large separation in the proper-element space were rejected as spurious. Finally, we provide a list of candidate pairs that appear real, genetically related, to facilitate targeted studies, such as photometric and spectroscopic observations. As a by-product, we discovered six new compact clusters of three or more asteroids. Initial backward orbit integrations suggest that they are young families with ages <2 Myr.
Pravec Petr
Vokrouhlicky David
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