In a recent study published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, researchers from the INAF-Astronomical Observatory of Rome, the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and the University of Alicante have investigated the dynamics and origin of two near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), 2021 PH27 and 2025 GN1. These researchers, led by Albino Carbognani, sought to understand the relationship between these two asteroids, which share similar orbital characteristics and composition.
The study confirms that both 2021 PH27 and 2025 GN1 are of the same type, classified as X-type asteroids, based on independent color measurements. By numerically integrating their orbits over a period of 100,000 years, taking into account relativistic corrections, the researchers found that these asteroids experienced five similar close encounters with Venus. However, none of these encounters were close enough to cause tidal disruption, as they remained well outside the Roche limit, the distance within which tidal forces would cause an object to break apart.
The researchers also found that the perihelion distance, the point in the orbit closest to the Sun, for both asteroids reached values between 0.1 and 0.08 astronomical units (au) approximately 17,000 to 21,000 years ago and 45,000 to 48,000 years ago. Although these distances are still outside the Roche limit with the Sun, they suggest periods lasting several thousand years where the asteroids experienced intense solar heating. This heating could have led to thermal fracturing of the surface, a process that could contribute to the disintegration of an asteroid.
The study proposes that the pair of asteroids may have formed from the rotational disintegration of a single, rubble-pile asteroid. This disintegration could have been caused by anisotropic gas emission or the YORP effect, a phenomenon that can alter the rotation rate of small asteroids. The researchers suggest that this event could have formed a binary system that later dissolved due to internal dynamics. However, the exact age of this separation could not be determined, only that it occurred more than 10,500 years ago and possibly during the last phase of lower perihelion distance around 17,000 to 21,000 years ago.
For the energy sector, this research highlights the potential for asteroid mining, a field that could benefit from understanding the composition and dynamics of near-Earth asteroids. The study also underscores the importance of monitoring these objects, as their orbits can change over time due to various factors, including close encounters with planets and the YORP effect. This monitoring is crucial for planetary defense strategies and for assessing the potential resources that these asteroids could provide.
In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the dynamics and origin of near-Earth asteroids, contributing to our understanding of these objects and their potential implications for the energy sector. The research was published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, a reputable source for scientific studies in the field of astronomy and astrophysics.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.