Nonextensive distributions of rotation periods and diameters of asteroids

TL;DR

This study applies nonextensive statistical distributions to asteroid rotation periods and diameters, revealing consistent $q$-Gaussian behavior across different regions and taxonomies, and providing estimates for NEA populations.

Contribution

It demonstrates that asteroid rotation periods follow a $q$-Gaussian distribution and NEA diameters follow a $q$-exponential, showing the applicability of nonextensive statistics to asteroid data.

Findings

Rotation periods follow a $q$-Gaussian with q=2.6.

NEA diameters follow a $q$-exponential with q=1.3.

Approximately 994 NEAs are larger than 1 km in diameter.

Abstract

Context. To investigate the distribution of rotation periods of asteroids from different regions of the Solar System and distribution of diameters of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). Aims. Verify if nonextensive statistics satisfactorily describes the data. Methods. Light curve data was taken from Planetary Database System (PDS) with Rel $\ge 2$. Taxonomic class and region of the Solar System was also considered. Data of NEA were taken from Minor Planet Center. Results. The rotation periods of asteroids follow a $q$-Gaussian with $q=2.6$ regardless of taxonomy, diameter or region of the Solar System of the object. The distribution of rotation periods is influenced by observational bias. The diameters of NEAs are described by a $q$-exponential with $q=1.3$. According to this distribution, there are expected to be $994 \pm 30$ NEAs with diameters greater than 1 km.