Nonextensive distributions of asteroid rotation periods and diameters
Abstract
Context. We investigate the distribution of asteroid rotation periods from different regions of the solar system and diameter distributions of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs).
Aims: We aim to verify if nonextensive statistics satisfactorily describes the data.
Methods: Light curve data were taken from the Planetary Database System (PDS) with Rel ≥ 2. We also considered the taxonomic class and region of the solar system. Data of NEA were taken from the Minor Planet Center.
Results: The rotation periods of asteroids follow a q-Gaussian with q = 2.6 regardless of taxonomy, diameter, or region of the solar system of the object. The distribution of rotation periods is influenced by observational bias. The diameters of NEAs are described by a q-exponential with q = 1.3. According to this distribution, there are expected to be 994 ± 30 NEAs with diameters greater than 1 km.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- March 2012
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361/201117767
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1107.5084
- Bibcode:
- 2012A&A...539A.158B
- Keywords:
-
- minor planets;
- asteroids: general;
- Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, 4 figures