Discussion: Sunlight Spins Asteroids

[Fraser]

SUMMARY: Astronomers have long-held that collisions were the primary cause of spinning asteroids, but new research indicates that it might be something much more gentle: sunlight. In a recent study carried out by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and Charles University (Prague), astronomers calculated the effect of millions and even billions of years of sunlight pressure can cause an asteroid to spin so fast it can fly apart; others can be made to stop spinning completely.


Comments or questions about this story? Feel free to share your thoughts.

[damienpaul]

This leads to the question, possibly an obvious question, does sunlight have an effect on planetary roatation?

[Littlemews]

Originally posted by damienpaul@Dec 23 2003, 03:58 PM
This leads to the question, possibly an obvious question, does sunlight have an effect on planetary roatation?

No, but plantary Season.....
Oh its a chance to observe the Asteroids, hope there is some kinda planet exist....

[damienpaul]

so do i, how awesome would that be!?!?