Asteroids challenge every law of gravity

A giant asteroid with a special orbital close to Earth is in fact an unusual combination of debris, spinning rapidly at a record speed.

What is surprising here is that such a discrete structure continues to stick together as a unified mass when flying in space, a fact that until now celestial physicists have yet to find a word. solution.

1950 The DA was suddenly famous in 2002, when astronomers claimed that the probability of asteroid 1.3km across the Earth fell to about 1: 300 in 2880. Then this number adjusted down to 1: 19,800. However, just by sweeping the Ground, it can cause a terrible disaster for our planet.

Photo: neo.jpl.nasa.gov

With a 2.2-year orbit around the sun, 1950 the DA is classified as a fast-moving asteroid, and revolves around the axis every 2.1 hours, faster than the limit of centrifugal force used to bind debris. into an asteroid. However, 1950 DA was not torn apart despite the extremely fast rotation speed in space.

Now, researchers at the University of Tennessee (USA) have proposed a new hypothesis to explain the state of the asteroid 1950 DA, whereby they believe that pieces of this object are tied by van de force. Waals , the binding force has never been detected in asteroids.

When analyzing thermal imaging and trajectory models, University of Tennessee expert Ben Rozitis hypothesized that the rotation cycle of 1950 DA was so fast that its equatorial region was negatively gravitational, according to the report. posted on Nature magazine on August 14.

Understanding the structure of asteroids like 1950 DA can help Earth experts find a way to neutralize the threat of the Earth's potential 'assassins' .