Unknown Asteroid Tracking a Known Asteroid

• by jedkat

  Please see my comments for this picture: there looks to be an unknown asteroid about 3/4 of an inch and slightly behind/lower the known asteroid. Same speed/velocity/direction. Could this be an asteroid that broke in two at 1 point?

  the image is: Image AAZ0002zjf

  http://talk.asteroidzoo.org/#/boards/BAZ0000003/discussions/DAZ000031g

  Posted July 9, 2014 5:23 PM

• by Dr.Asteroid scientist, admin

  It certainly could be - although asteroids in the main belt (which I think these are) will tend to move along similar paths. Usually a fractured asteroid will spread out quite quickly (since there is substantial velocity from whatever broke them apart).

  Let me take a look deeper and see if I can find anything. Be warned that will take a bit of time.

  Posted July 9, 2014 8:06 PM

• by jedkat

  Thanks, Dr. I look forward to seeing if you find anything.

  Posted July 10, 2014 1:43 PM

• by JKD

  interesting finding, both objects are moving parallel

  Posted July 11, 2014 5:28 AM