A century old physics principle, known as the Yarkovsky effect, plays a role in the manner which asteroids move through our solar system. The Yarkovsky effect works via an asteroid’s absorption of solar energy and orbital rotation. If the asteroid’s emission of this solar energy is not equally balanced throughout its mass, the object may get a “boost” of energy, causing a slight change in orbit.
The effect is especially dramatic on smaller asteroids. Such orbital modifications may account for much of the meteorite traffic that assaults our atmosphere on a daily basis.
Further study of this phenomenon may help science develop a better understanding of how different objects travel through our solar system. It may also lead to an ability to predict and monitor rogue asteroids traveling from the belt towards the inner solar system.
For more information:
- Astronomy.com – Yarkovsky Effect
- UniSci – Changing Reflectance Could Deflect Asteroids’ Path
- Science News – Asteroids get solar push toward Earth
This entry also posted in the American Military University Introduction to Astronomy newsgroup.