Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Asteroid light curve
An asteroid light curve is a light curve of an asteroid, mapping light intensity over time. The light curve is caused by the fact that asteroids are generally non-uniform in shape. As they rotate differing amounts of sunlight are reflected back to earth. This causes a periodic variation in brightness. A light curve, or brightness versus time, graph of an asteroid can be used to determine the object's spin rate.
Last updated: 10-17-2005 20:55:50
03-10-2013 05:06:04
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details
The contents of this article is licensed from www.wikipedia.org under the GNU Free Documentation License. Click here to see the transparent copy and copyright details