Newly Discovered Asteroid Spins Faster Than Any Previously Known
A newly discovered asteroid has shattered the record for the fastest-spinning space rock ever observed. The object rotates at a rate that exceeds all previously known asteroids, raising questions about how it maintains its structural integrity under such extreme centrifugal forces.
Most asteroids are thought to be loosely held together 'rubble piles,' which should fly apart at high spin rates. This record-breaker's survival suggests it may have an unusually solid composition or internal cohesion, challenging conventional models of asteroid structure. The discovery provides valuable data for understanding the physical properties of small solar system bodies and could have implications for planetary defense strategies that depend on knowing how asteroids are constructed.
Most asteroids are thought to be loosely held together 'rubble piles,' which should fly apart at high spin rates. This record-breaker's survival suggests it may have an unusually solid composition or internal cohesion, challenging conventional models of asteroid structure. The discovery provides valuable data for understanding the physical properties of small solar system bodies and could have implications for planetary defense strategies that depend on knowing how asteroids are constructed.