On the observability of radiation forces acting on near-Earth asteroids

Details On the observability of radiation forces acting on near-Earth asteroids On the observability of radiation forces acting on near-Earth asteroids

Sep 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001cemda..81..149v&link_type=abstract

Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy, v. 81, Issue 1/2, p. 149-165 (2001).

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

5

Asteroids, Near-Earth, Nongravitational Effects

Scientific paper

We consider the perturbations on near-earth asteroid orbits due to various forces stemming from solar radiation. We find that the existence of precise radar astrometric observations at multiple apparitions, spanning periods on the order of 10 years, allows the detection of such forces on bodies as large as kilometer across. Indeed, the perturbations are so substantial that certain of the forces can be essential to fit an orbit to the observations. In particular, we show that the recoil force of thermal radiation from the asteroid, known as the Yarkovsky effect, is the most important of these unmodeled perturbations. We also show that the effect of reflected light can be important if even moderate albedo variations are present, while moderate changes in oblateness appear to have a far smaller effect. An unexpected result is that the Poynting-Robertson effect, typically only considered for submillimeter dust particles, could be observable on smaller asteroids with high eccentricity, such as 1566 Icarus. Finally, we also study the possibility of improving the orbit uncertainty through well-timed optical observations which might help in better detection of these nongravitational perturbations.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

On the observability of radiation forces acting on 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 On the observability of radiation forces acting on near-Earth asteroids, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the observability of radiation forces acting on near-Earth asteroids will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1485761