Researchers identify fastest-rotating near-Earth asteroid
A study confirms asteroid 2024 XA1 rotates every 1.63 seconds, marking it as the fastest-spinning near-Earth object identified to date.
Researchers at the Yunnan Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have confirmed that the near-Earth asteroid 2024 XA1 holds the record for the fastest rotation speed ever recorded. The findings, published in The Astronomical Journal, show the object completes a full rotation in just 1.63 seconds, surpassing the previous record of 2.58 seconds set by asteroid 2024 BX1.
The extreme rotational velocity indicates that centrifugal acceleration at the asteroid's surface is significantly higher than its own gravitational pull. This suggests the object is not a loose collection of debris, but rather a solid, cohesive rock structure held together by its own mechanical strength, likely formed from the fragmentation of a larger celestial body.
The data was collected using a 2.4-meter telescope in Lijiang during the final hour before 2024 XA1 entered Earth’s atmosphere in December 2024. This event marked the 11th time in history that a near-Earth asteroid impact was successfully forecast.
This research provides insight into the physical properties and structural integrity of small, high-velocity asteroids. By analyzing these characteristics, scientists aim to improve monitoring and early warning capabilities for potential planetary threats.