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Pallas is unusual in that, like Uranus, it rotates on its side, with its axis of rotation tilted at high angles to its orbital plane. [81] Its composition is similar to that of Ceres: high in carbon and silicon, and perhaps partially differentiated. [82] Pallas is the parent body of the Palladian family of asteroids.
For solid objects, such as rocky planets and asteroids, the rotation period is a single value.For gaseous or fluid bodies, such as stars and giant planets, the period of rotation varies from the object's equator to its pole due to a phenomenon called differential rotation.
This plot shows the distribution of rotation periods for 15,000 minor planets as of September 2016, plotted against their diameters. Most bodies have a period between 2 and 20 hours. [1] [a] This is a list of fast rotators—"minor planets" (which includes asteroids) that have an exceptionally short rotation period, i
Contrary to popular imagery, the asteroid belt is mostly empty. The asteroids are spread over such a large volume that reaching an asteroid without aiming carefully would be improbable. Nonetheless, hundreds of thousands of asteroids are currently known, and the total number ranges in the millions or more, depending on the lower size cutoff.
NEOs are defined as asteroids that hug the inner solar system, where we live, coming within 1.3 astronomical units of the sun. A single astronomical unit is the distance from the sun to the Earth ...
Analysis of spectral and photometric time series suggests that 2024 YR 4 is a stony S-type (most likely), L-type or K-type asteroid, with a rotation period of approximately 19.5 minutes. [8] A number of known asteroids, including other virtual impactors, [a] follow orbits somewhat consistent with that of 2024 YR 4. [16]
We talked to two astronomers to break down some of the complexities behind tracking asteroids, and shed some light on whether we should be worried. Tracking Asteroid 2024 YR4
The YORP effect is a prime candidate. It is not capable of significantly modifying the spin rates of large asteroids by itself, so a different explanation must be sought for objects such as 253 Mathilde. In late 2013 asteroid P/2013 R3 was observed breaking apart, likely because of a high rotation speed from the YORP effect. [10]