Fast rotation of a subkilometer-sized near-Earth object 2011 XA{sub 3}
- Bisei Spaceguard Center, Japan Spaceguard Association, 1716-3 Okura, Bisei, Ibara, Okayama 714-1411 (Japan)
- Tokyo Meteor Network, 1-27-5 Daisawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 155-0032 (Japan)
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, 7-24-1 Narashinodai, Funabashi, Chiba 274-8501 (Japan)
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, 2-21-1 Osawa, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8588 (Japan)
- Department of Earth and Planetary Material Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Aoba, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8578 (Japan)
We present light curve observations and their multiband photometry for near-Earth object (NEO) 2011 XA{sub 3}. The light curve has shown a periodicity of 0.0304 ± 0.0003 days (= 43.8 ± 0.4 minutes). The fast rotation shows that 2011 XA{sub 3} is in a state of tension (i.e., a monolithic asteroid) and cannot be held together by self-gravitation. Moreover, the multiband photometric analysis indicates that the taxonomic class of 2011 XA{sub 3} is S-complex, or V-type. Its estimated effective diameter is 225 ± 97 m (S-complex) and 166 ± 63 m (V-type), respectively. Therefore, 2011 XA{sub 3} is a candidate for the second-largest, fast-rotating, monolithic asteroid. Moreover, the orbital parameters of 2011 XA{sub 3} are apparently similar to those of NEO (3200) Phaethon, but F/B-type. We computed the orbital evolutions of 2011 XA{sub 3} and Phaethon. However, the results of the computation and distinct taxonomy indicate that neither of the asteroids is of common origin.
- OSTI ID:
- 22340252
- Journal Information:
- Astronomical Journal (New York, N.Y. Online), Vol. 147, Issue 5; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1538-3881
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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