High-resolution radar images reveal near-Earth asteroid (66391) 1999 KW4 to be a binary system. The approximately 1.5-kilometer-diameter primary (Alpha) is an unconsolidated gravitational aggregate with a spin period approximately 2.8 hours, bulk density approximately 2 grams per cubic centimeter, porosity approximately 50%, and an oblate shape dominated by an equatorial ridge at the object's potential-energy minimum. The approximately 0.5-kilometer secondary (Beta) is elongated and probably is denser than Alpha. Its average orbit about Alpha is circular with a radius approximately 2.5 kilometers and period approximately 17.4 hours, and its average rotation is synchronous with the long axis pointed toward Alpha, but librational departures from that orientation are evident. Exotic physical and dynamical properties may be common among near-Earth binaries.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1133622 | DOI Listing |
Sensors (Basel)
November 2024
Opto-Electronics Engineering College, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China.
Ground-based detection of spaceborne dynamic objects, such as near-Earth asteroids and space debris, is essential for ensuring the safety of space operations. This paper presents YOLO-Dynamic, a novel detection algorithm aimed at addressing the limitations of existing models, particularly in complex environments and small-object detection. The proposed algorithm introduces two newly designed modules: the SC_Block_C2f and the LASF_Neck.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNature
December 2024
Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Heidelberg, Germany.
Asteroid discoveries are essential for planetary-defense efforts aiming to prevent impacts with Earth, including the more frequent megaton explosions from decameter impactors. While large asteroids (≥100 km) have remained in the main belt since their formation, small asteroids are commonly transported to the near-Earth object (NEO) population. However, due to the lack of direct observational constraints, their size-frequency distribution -which informs our understanding of the NEOs and the delivery of meteorite samples to Earth-varies significantly among models.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
December 2024
Institute for Astronomy, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822.
Small bodies are capable of delivering essential prerequisites for the development of life, such as volatiles and organics, to the terrestrial planets. For example, empirical evidence suggests that water was delivered to the Earth by hydrated planetesimals from distant regions of the Solar System. Recently, several morphologically inactive near-Earth objects were reported to experience significant nongravitational accelerations inconsistent with radiation-based effects, and possibly explained by volatile-driven outgassing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNature
October 2024
Faculty of Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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