Science WireSpace

How sunlight pushes asteroids

Rotating asteroids have a tough time sticking to their orbits. Their surfaces heat up during the day and cool down at night, giving off radiation that can act as mini-thruster.

This force, called the Yarkovsky effect, can cause rotating asteroids to drift widely over time, making it hard for scientists to predict their long-term risk to Earth.

Read more about the Yarkovsky effect

Posted 
August 6, 2015
 in 
Science Wire

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