Extreme asteroids in the Pan-STARRS 1 Survey

TL;DR

This study used Pan-STARRS 1 data to identify and analyze high-amplitude asteroids, revealing their likely rubble pile structure and providing detailed shape and spin models for several objects, with no super-fast rotators found.

Contribution

First comprehensive analysis of high-amplitude asteroids from Pan-STARRS 1, including shape and spin pole modeling, and insights into their internal cohesion and structural nature.

Findings

4 asteroids with amplitude ≥ 1.0 mag suggest rubble pile structure

No large super-fast rotators (P<2.2h) identified

Detailed shape and spin pole models for 3 asteroids

Abstract

Using the first 18 months of the Pan-STARRS 1 survey we have identified 33 candidate high-amplitude objects for follow-up observations and carried out observations of 22 asteroids. 4 of the observed objects were found to have observed amplitude $A_{obs}\geq 1.0$ mag. We find that these high amplitude objects are most simply explained by single rubble pile objects with some density-dependent internal strength, allowing them to resist mass shedding even at their highly elongated shapes. 3 further objects although below the cut-off for 'high-amplitude' had a combination of elongation and rotation period which also may require internal cohesive strength, depending on the density of the body. We find that none of the 'high-amplitude asteroids' identified here require any unusual cohesive strengths to resist rotational fission. 3 asteroids were sufficiently observed to allow for shape and spin pole models to be determined through light curve inversion. 45864 was determined to have retrograde rotation with spin pole axes $\lambda=218\pm 10^{\circ}, \beta=-82\pm 5^{\circ}$ and asteroid 206167 was found to have best fit spin pole axes $\lambda= 57 \pm 5^{\circ}$, $\beta=-67 \pm 5^{\circ}$. An additional object not initially measured with $A_{obs}>1.0$ mag, 49257, was determined to have a shape model which does suggest a high-amplitude object. Its spin pole axes were best fit for values $\lambda=112\pm 6^{\circ}, \beta=6\pm 5^{\circ}$. In the course of this project to date no large super-fast rotators ($P_{rot} < 2.2$ h) have been identified.