Detailed Analysis of the Asteroid Pair (6070) Rheinland and (54827) 2001 NQ8

DOI: 
10.3847/1538-3881/aa72ea
Publication date: 
01/06/2017
Main author: 
Vokrouhlický, David
IAA authors: 
Ortiz, Jose Luis;Morales, Nicolas
Authors: 
Vokrouhlický, David;Pravec, Petr;Ďurech, Josef;Hornoch, Kamil;Kušnirák, Peter;Galád, Adrián;Vraštil, Jan;Kučáková, Hana;Pollock, Joseph T.;Ortiz, Jose Luis;Morales, Nicolas;Gaftonyuk, Ninel M.;Pray, Donald P.;Krugly, Yurij N.;Inasaridze, Raguli Ya.;Ayvazian, Vova R.;Molotov, Igor E.;Colazo, Carlos A.
Journal: 
The Astronomical Journal
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
153
Pages: 
270
Abstract: 
The existence of asteroid pairs, two bodies on similar heliocentric orbits, reveals an ongoing process of rotational fission among asteroids. This newly found class of objects has not been studied in detail yet. Here we choose asteroids (6070) Rheinland and (54827) 2001 NQ8, the most suitable pair for an in-depth analysis. First, we use available optical photometry to determine their rotational state and convex shapes. Rotational pole of Rheinland is very near the south ecliptic pole with a latitude uncertainty of about 10°. There are two equivalent solutions for the pole of 2001 NQ8, either (72°, −49°) or (242°, −46°) (ecliptic longitude and latitude). In both cases, the longitude values have about 10° uncertainty and the latitude values have about 15° uncertainty (both 3σ uncertainties). The sidereal rotation period of 2001 NQ8 is 5.877186 ± 0.000002 hr. Second, we construct a precise numerical integrator to determine the past state vectors of the pair’s components, namely their heliocentric positions and velocities, and orientation of their spin vectors. Using this new tool, we investigate the origin of the (6070) Rheinland and (54827) 2001 NQ8 pair. We find a formal age solution of 16.34 ± 0.04 kyr. This includes effects of the most massive objects in the asteroid belt (Ceres, Pallas, and Vesta), but the unaccounted gravitational perturbations from other asteroids may imply that the realistic age uncertainty is slightly larger than its formal value. Analyzing results from our numerical simulation to 250 kya, we argue against a possibility that this pair would allow an older age. Initial spin vectors of the two asteroids, at the moment of their separation, were not collinear, but tilted by 38^\circ +/- 12^\circ .
Database: 
ADS
SCOPUS
URL: 
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85020929906&doi=10.3847%2f1538-3881%2faa72ea&partnerID=40&md5=c63b5ef1ded1356258facdad0d17fb93
ADS Bibcode: 
2017AJ....153..270V
Keywords: 
minor planets;asteroids: general