Thermal Control for Asteroid Orbits and Spins
David Nesvorny (Boulder) - Oct. 20 at 12:00 noon
The reflection and re-emission of sunlight from an asteroid's surface
produce weak thermal forces that can change the asteroid's orbit and
spin state over planetary time scales. While the theoretical foundation
for this effect were laid down in early 1900s, the theory has not been
validated by observations of natural bodies until one century later. With
new data, we are now beginning to grasp the full picture. The thermal
forces are essential for the origin of near-Earth asteroids, they control
the spin states of small main-belt asteroids and modify the architecture
of the entire asteroid belt. I will present a comprehensive overview
of these new results.
The seminar will be held in 544 Campbell Hall.
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