Asteroids spin at speeds comparable to fairground rides
Two large asteroids in the asteroid belt were found to rotate extremely quickly, challenging current models of asteroid structure. The researchers observed these high rotation rates using telescopic measurements.
This finding may indicate a need to reevaluate how asteroids are formed and evolve, though more data is required to confirm the implications.
- study
- Rocks in the asteroid belt rotating at ultra-fast speeds
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rotation speeds measured
The observed rotation periods were as short as 2.8 hours, equivalent to the spinning of a fairground ride.
method of detection
The researchers used optical telescopes to track light variations from the asteroids, which indicate their spin rates.
Common questions
How fast were the asteroids spinning?
The fastest asteroid was observed to complete a full rotation in about 2.8 hours.
What does this mean for asteroid structure?
The high rotation rates may suggest that current models of asteroid composition and internal structure are incomplete.
Sources
- Two large asteroids found spinning as fast as a fairground ride By Jonathan O’Callaghan, New Scientist · newscientist.com
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