}

Asteroids by pairs

2002/04/18 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

In the ring of asteroids, beyond the Neptune, is a strange couple through a telescope located in Hawaii. At first, being the only object, it was called 1998 WW31. However, after many observations they have seen that this is a system of two units.

Each asteroid rotates around the other, with a period of 570 days. This rotation occurs in an elliptical orbit, which is located 20,000 kilometers when they are closer and 40,000 kilometers when they are further away.

Finding this type of system is not easy, since seeing two light points near the telescope does not mean that they are two asteroids: many times you run the risk of being confused with a star further back. Therefore, in case of finding a partner, you have to follow that image to confirm whether or not they revolve around.

Such systems are not conventional, but only a few examples are known. The most famous is undoubtedly the one formed by Pluto and his satellite Karonte. However, according to the discoverers of the 1998 WW31 asteroid pair, these two systems have different characteristics. The origin of the Kuiper Belt may be studied between the two.

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