Spins and shapes of members of asteroid pairs
Abstract
We present the results of our photometric observing campaign of members of asteroid pairs. Our sample consists of 93 asteroid pairs with estimated ages (times of separation of the pair components) between several 103 and 2 × 106 yr. We determined the rotation periods of all the primaries (larger pair members) and about 20 secondaries (smaller pair members). For 20 of the paired asteroids, we derived the directions of their spin axes with the lightcurve inversion method. For the cases where we have information on the spin axes of both components, their sense of rotation - prograde or retrograde - is always the same for a given pair, and their poles are mostly close one to each other. For selected asteroids with available thermal data measurements, we were able to derive their thermal inertia, surface roughness, and size using a thermophysical model. Our analysis of the derived physical properties of asteroid pairs allows us to constrain scenarios of the origin of the pairs. In general, our results agree with predictions of the theory of their origin by spin-up fission.
- Publication:
-
AAS/Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting Abstracts #50
- Pub Date:
- October 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018DPS....5040804D