Statistics
Scientific paper
Oct 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010dps....42.4608h&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #42, #46.08; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.1051
Statistics
Scientific paper
It has recently become possible to do a photometric survey of many asteroids at once, rather than observing single asteroids one (or occasionally a couple) at a time. We evaluate two such surveys. Dermawan et al. (2002, BAAS 34, 860) observed one night on Subaru 8.2 m telescope, and Masiero et al. (2009, Icarus 204, 145-171) observed six nights over two weeks with the 3.6 m CFHT. Dermawan claimed 83 rotation periods from 127 detected asteroids; TALCS claimed 218 rotation periods from 828 detections. Both teams claim a number of super-fast rotators (P < 2.2 h) among mainbelt asteroids larger than 250 m diameter, some up to several km in diameter. This would imply that the spin rate distribution of mainbelt asteroids differs from like-sized NEAs, that there are larger super-fast rotators (monolithic asteroids) in the main belt than among NEAs. In the process of entering the new data in our Lightcurve Database (Warner et al. 2009, Icarus 202, 134-146), we have applied the same criteria for reliability of results that we apply to all results listed in the database. In doing so, we assigned reliability estimates judged sufficient for inclusion in statistical studies for only 27 out of 83 (33%) periods claimed by Dermawan, and only 87 out of 218 (40%) periods reported by TALCS; none of the super-fast rotators larger than about 250 m diameter claimed by either survey received a reliability rating judged sufficient for analysis. Both Dermawan and Masiero kindly provided us with their data. After re-analyzing data for each of the claimed large superfast rotators using our own analysis software, we concluded that none of the results were of sufficient reliability to justify a provocative claim of differing rotation statistics between NEAs and MBAs. Our analysis presents a cautionary message for future surveys.
Harris Alan W.
Pravec Petr
Warner Brian D.
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