The spin rate distributions of comet nuclei and small asteroids are compared, and it is shown that Whipple's (1982) finding of a faster average rotation for the asteroid sample was due to observational biases. In fact, the presently available rotational data do not exhibit any clear differentiation among comet nuclei and asteroids, except possibly for a higher abundance of short rotational periods among the Apollo-Amor objects.
On the rotation of cometary nuclei and small asteroids
PAOLICCHI, PAOLO;
1985-01-01
Abstract
The spin rate distributions of comet nuclei and small asteroids are compared, and it is shown that Whipple's (1982) finding of a faster average rotation for the asteroid sample was due to observational biases. In fact, the presently available rotational data do not exhibit any clear differentiation among comet nuclei and asteroids, except possibly for a higher abundance of short rotational periods among the Apollo-Amor objects.File in questo prodotto:
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