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Acceleration of the rotation of asteroid 1862 Apollo by radiation torques

Author

Listed:
  • Mikko Kaasalainen

    (Rolf Nevanlinna Institute, PO Box 68, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland)

  • Josef Ďurech

    (Astronomical Institute, Charles University, V Holešovičkách 2, 18000 Prague, Czech Republic)

  • Brian D. Warner

    (Palmer Divide Observatory, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908, USA)

  • Yurij N. Krugly

    (Institute of Astronomy of Kharkiv National University, Sumska str. 35, Kharkiv 61022, Ukraine)

  • Ninel M. Gaftonyuk

    (Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, Simeiz 98680, Ukraine)

Abstract

The day a difference makes The Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack or YORP effect is a significant player in the Solar System. Actually observing it in action is quite a challenge, but that has now been achieved for asteroid 1862 Apollo. The YORP effect occurs when solar energy is reflected and re-radiated from an asymmetrical object. The forces generated act as an engine that drives the rotation of the body. That same asymmetry can also be used to track an asteroid's rotation, as it reflects different amounts of light at different times. A look back at the data on asteroid 1862 Apollo shows that, thanks to the YORP effect, its rotational speed has increased by an extra rotation cycle — virtually gaining an extra 'day' in 40 years — even though Apollo is well over a kilo-metre long.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikko Kaasalainen & Josef Ďurech & Brian D. Warner & Yurij N. Krugly & Ninel M. Gaftonyuk, 2007. "Acceleration of the rotation of asteroid 1862 Apollo by radiation torques," Nature, Nature, vol. 446(7134), pages 420-422, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:446:y:2007:i:7134:d:10.1038_nature05614
    DOI: 10.1038/nature05614
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