The rotation of small asteroids

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Asteroids, Astrometry, Planetary Rotation, Statistical Tests, Angular Velocity, Astronomical Photography, Earth (Planet), Electrophotometers, Mars (Planet), Size (Dimensions), Asteroids, Rotation, Photoelectric Observations, Parameters, Diameters, Statistical Analysis, Comparisons, Photographs, Techniques, Lightcurves, Amplitude, Frequency, Distribution, Hypotheses, Earth Crossers, Size, Mars Crossers, Periods

Scientific paper

The Binzel and Mulholland (1983) sample of photoelectrically determined rotational parameters for 17 main belt asteroids with diameters less than 30 km are compared with previous observations of asteroids of that size range. Rigorous statistical tests are applied to investigate bias effects and quantify results on asteroid rotation. The samples are described and compared for rotational frequency, rotational amplitude, frequency distribution, and diameter and frequency dependence. It is concluded that the observed rotational frequency distribution can be acceptably fit by two Maxwellian distributions, which is consistent with the hypothesis that there are separate populations of slow and fast rotating asteroids. The frequency distributions of main belt asteroids less than 15 km in diameter and earth and Mars crossers do not differ significantly, but the larger mean lightcurve amplitude of these crossers is statistically significant. No significant diameter dependence on rotational frequency is found among the sample asteroids.

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