Asteroids spinning so fast they should fly apart
In short: New observations of the asteroid belt are challenging our understanding of celestial mechanics. Some large space rocks rotate at speeds that defy current models of structural integrity.
Researchers analyzing data from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory identified 66 "super-fast rotators" from a sample of over 9,000 asteroids. These objects complete a full rotation in less than 2.2 hours.
At such high speeds, these asteroids should theoretically break apart under their own gravity. The fact that they remain intact suggests that asteroid structures may be significantly stronger than previously assumed by scientists.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Strange Asteroid Spins So Fast It Shouldn't Be Possible
- Also: Two large asteroids found spinning as fast as a fairground ride | New Scientist
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