Acceleration of the rotation of asteroid 1862 Apollo by radiation torques

Mikko Kaasalainen (), Josef Ďurech, Brian D. Warner, Yurij N. Krugly and Ninel M. Gaftonyuk
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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

Nature, 2007, vol. 446, issue 7134, 420-422

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.

Date: 2007
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DOI: 10.1038/nature05614

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