Origin of slow-rotating minor bodies by tidal decoupling of binary pairs. Issue 4 (23rd November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brunini, A.
• Is Part Of: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Volume 465:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 3949
• Page End: 3955
• Publication Date: 2016-11-23
• Subjects: minor planets, asteroids: general; Astronomy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stw3043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-8711

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, we show that the decoupling of binary pairs by tidal interaction and Kozai oscillations acting together can generate single objects in a slow-rotation-rate state. This mechanism has the merit of not being strongly dependent on the size or shape of the objects. The key parameter leading the process is ω/ n, the ratio between the rotation rate and the orbital mean motion of the binary, which must be >1. The proposed mechanism could also operate in other populations of minor bodies.