Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 1987
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1987icar...70..257g&link_type=abstract
Icarus (ISSN 0019-1035), vol. 70, May 1987, p. 257-263. Research supported by the National Geographic Society.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
20
Asteroids, Natural Satellites, Astronomical Models, Planetary Gravitation, Planetary Orbits, Asteroids, Satellites, Ccd Methods, Ceres, Pallas, Vesta, Hebe, Iris, Flora, Eunomia, Amphitrite, Daphne, Nysa, Nausikaa, Collisions, Size, Theoretical Studies, Tidal Effects, Rotation, Period, Asteroid Belt, Stability, Binary Systems, Photographic Methods, Telescope Methods, Parameters, Earth-Based Observations, Magnitude, Astronomy
Scientific paper
A CCD-imaging survey was made for satellites of minor planets at distances of about 0.1 to 7 arcmin from 1 Ceres, 2 Pallas, 4 Vesta, 6 Hebe, 7 Iris, 8 Flora, 15 Eunomia, 29 Amphitrite, 41 Daphne, and 44 Nysa, with cursory inspection of 192 Nausikaa. Satellites larger than 3 km were not found in this work, nor in previous photographic surveys. Not finding them appears to be consistent with theoretical studies of collisions in the asteroid belt by several authors. The satellites would have to be larger than at least 30 km to be collisionally stable. Taking tidal stability into account, it is concluded that the only possible satellites for main-belt asteroids are near-contact binaries. The only other rare possibility for a satellite might be a piece of debris from a recent collision.
Drummond Jack D.
Gehrels Tom
Levenson Nancy A.
No associations
LandOfFree
The absence of satellites of 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 The absence of satellites of asteroids, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The absence of satellites of asteroids will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-858823