The Schulhof family: solving the age puzzle

0461657 - ASÚ 2017 RIV US eng J - Journal Article
Vokrouhlický, D. - Ďurech, J. - Pravec, Petr - Kušnirák, Peter - Hornoch, Kamil - Vrastil, J. - Krugly, Yu. N. - Inasaridze, R.Ya. - Zhuzhunadze, V. - Molotov, I.E. - Pray, D. P. - Husárik, M. - Pollock, J. - Nesvorný, D.
The Schulhof family: solving the age puzzle.
Astronomical Journal. Roč. 151, č. 3 (2016), 56/1-56/12. ISSN 0004-6256. E-ISSN 1538-3881
R&D Projects: GA ČR GAP209/12/0229
Grant - others:GA ČR(CZ) GA13-01308S
Institutional support: RVO:67985815
Keywords : celestial mechanics * minor planets * Schulhof family
Subject RIV: BN - Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics, Astrophysics
Impact factor: 2.609, year: 2016

In this paper, we first use our own photometric observations, as well as archival data, to determine the rotation rate and spin axis orientation of the largest fragment (2384). Schulhof. Our data also allow us to better constrain the absolute magnitude of this asteroid, and thus also improve the determination of its geometric albedo. Next, using the up-to-date catalog of asteroid orbits, we perform a new search of smaller members in the Schulhof family, increasing their number by 50%. Finally, the available data are used to access Schulhof's family age anew. We now find that the younger of the previously proposed two ages of this family is not correct, resulting from a large orbital uncertainty of single-opposition members. Our new runs reveal a single age solution of about 800 kyr with a realistic uncertainty of 200 kyr.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0261255