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On the variation in light of tumbling bodies

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Abstract

Light curves have been constructed for a number of model astroids as represented by three series of triaxial ellipsoids (one almost prolate, one almost oblate and one in between). The light curves have maximumpossible amplitudes (Δm) ranging from 0m.1 to 1.0. The case Δm=0m.7 is illustrated in some detail. Quite complicated patterns of motion are shown at times to lead to simplelooking light curves for the prolate models. It is argued that models of this latter type are likely to be over-represented in any sampling of asteroidal light curves because of simple selection effects.

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Sher, D. On the variation in light of tumbling bodies. Astrophys Space Sci 11, 222–231 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00661355

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00661355

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