4963 Kanroku: Asteroid with a possible precession of rotation axis
Abstract
Based on photometric observations of 4963 Kanroku as part of a campaign to measure its light-curve, changes of the light-curve profile have been detected. These changes are of a periodic nature, i.e. the profiles change with a detected period P = 16.4032 h. Based on simulations of the shape of the asteroid and using observational data, we make the assumption that such changes of the light-curve of the asteroid could be caused by the existence of a precession force acting on the axis of rotation of the asteroid. Simulations of the 4963 Kanroku light-curve, taking into account the detected precession, and the parameters for the shape of the asteroid, the modeled light-curves are in good agreement with the light-curves obtained from the observation campaign. Thus, the detected precession force may indicate a possible satellite of the asteroid 4963 Kanroku.
- Publication:
-
Planetary and Space Science
- Pub Date:
- April 2018
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.pss.2017.12.006
- Bibcode:
- 2018P&SS..153...11S
- Keywords:
-
- Asteroids;
- Rotation;
- Dynamics;
- Celestial mechanics;
- Satellites of asteroids