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Binary asteroids: evidence for their existence from lightcurves.

E F Tedesco

    Science (New York, N.Y.)
    |March 2, 1979
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Binary asteroid systems, like 49 Pales and 171 Ophelia, may be common. Unusual lightcurves in the Themis family suggest asteroid collisions can create multiple objects.

    Area of Science:

    • Astronomy and astrophysics
    • Planetary science

    Background:

    • Asteroid lightcurves provide insights into their shape, rotation, and multiplicity.
    • Eclipsing binary stars exhibit characteristic light variations due to orbital eclipses.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the nature of asteroids 49 Pales and 171 Ophelia based on their lightcurve similarities to eclipsing binary stars.
    • To explore the implications of unusual lightcurves within the Themis asteroid family.

    Main Methods:

    • Photometric analysis of asteroid lightcurves.
    • Comparison of asteroid lightcurve data with models of eclipsing binary stars.

    Main Results:

    • The lightcurves of asteroids 49 Pales and 171 Ophelia closely resemble those of eclipsing binary stars, suggesting they are binary asteroid systems.

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  • Unusual lightcurves observed in the Themis dynamical family are potentially indicative of satellite events or multiple objects formed during collisional disruptions.

    • Conclusions:

    • Asteroids 49 Pales and 171 Ophelia are likely binary systems.
    • Asteroid collisions may frequently result in the formation of multiple bodies, as suggested by the Themis family's lightcurve anomalies.