Fast Rotation of a Subkilometer-sized Near-Earth Object 2011 XA3
Abstract
We present light curve observations and their multiband photometry for near-Earth object (NEO) 2011 XA3. The light curve has shown a periodicity of 0.0304 ± 0.0003 days (= 43.8 ± 0.4 minutes). The fast rotation shows that 2011 XA3 is in a state of tension (i.e., a monolithic asteroid) and cannot be held together by self-gravitation. Moreover, the multiband photometric analysis indicates that the taxonomic class of 2011 XA3 is S-complex, or V-type. Its estimated effective diameter is 225 ± 97 m (S-complex) and 166 ± 63 m (V-type), respectively. Therefore, 2011 XA3 is a candidate for the second-largest, fast-rotating, monolithic asteroid. Moreover, the orbital parameters of 2011 XA3 are apparently similar to those of NEO (3200) Phaethon, but F/B-type. We computed the orbital evolutions of 2011 XA3 and Phaethon. However, the results of the computation and distinct taxonomy indicate that neither of the asteroids is of common origin.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 2014
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0004-6256/147/5/121
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1403.6680
- Bibcode:
- 2014AJ....147..121U
- Keywords:
-
- minor planets;
- asteroids: individual: 2011 XA3; Phaethon;
- Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 28 pages, 4 figures, 4 tables. Accepted in AJ