![Plot of the frequency vs. diameter for all asteroids with known or estimated rotation period with quality code 𝑈 ≥ 1. File data from the ALCDB of 1 Oct 2023, the last release (https://alcdef.org/). The two near-Earth asteroids, 2000 RD34 and 2000 DN8 (both with 𝑈 = 1), are shown together with the five LSFR from Rubin observations (red) and the candidate LSFR or almost candidate (due to borderline diameter as for 2015 RG36 and 2024 WB), which we have characterized at the Loiano Astronomical Station, managed by INAF-OAS in Italy (cyan). The curves for the rubble pile model with cohesion strength are from Eq. 12 (Sánchez and Scheeres, 2014). Our candidates LSFR has a cohesive strength between 102–104 Pa. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Photometric.png?fit=1200%2C680&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.EP] We present the results of a survey of previously uncharacterized near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) conducted between the second half of 2024 and the first months of 2026 using broadband BVRcIc photometry and time-resolved lightcurve observations.
Color indices were obtained for 14 NEAs of the 15 observed, with a dimension range between 0.11 and 2.5 km, and used to derive taxonomic classifications through comparison of a sample of reference reflectance curves.
The sample appears to be dominated by S-, X-, and C-complex and V-type asteroids; absolute magnitudes and effective diameters were estimated using taxonomically appropriate albedos. Rotation periods were determined or constrained for several targets.
Some large objects appear to rotate faster than the classical cohesionless spin barrier at P≃2.2~h, although in some cases the period determinations remain tentative due to limited temporal coverage.
A cohesive rubble-pile model provides a plausible explanation for the observed rapid rotation within the uncertainties of the derived physical parameters, and modest cohesive strengths of order 102–104~Pa are sufficient to account for the observed rotation rates.
A. Carbognani, A. Buzzoni, M. Barbetta, R. Gualandi
Comments: Research paper, 28 pages, 15 figures, accepted on Icarus
Subjects: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP)
Cite as: arXiv:2609.02563 [astro-ph.EP] (or arXiv:2609.02563v1 [astro-ph.EP] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2609.02563
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Submission history
From: Albino Carbognani
[v1] Wed, 2 Sep 2026 13:14:40 UTC (2,221 KB)
https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.02563
Astrobiology, Astrogeology,
