Asteroid rotation rates - Distributions and statisticsAn analysis of asteroid rotation rates and light-curve amplitudes disclosed many significant correlations between these rotation parameters and asteroid diameter, with distinct changes occurring near 125 km, a diameter above which self-gravity may become important. It is suggested that this size range may represent a division between surviving primordial asteroids and collisional fragments. A comparison of rotational parameters between family and nonfamily asteroids showed that the Koronis and Eos families exhibit noticeable differences, considered to be due to different impact conditions and/or to a relatively younger age for the Koronis family.
Document ID
19900039968
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Binzel, Richard P. (MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Farinella, Paolo (Pisa, Universita Italy)
Zappala, Vincenzo (Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Cellino, Alberto (Torino Osservatorio Astronomico, Turin, Italy)