Abstract
Asteroid rotation rates have been analysed by many authors in the past, and one or more Maxwellian distributions have been fitted for various diameter ranges and taxonomic classes. The statistical results and physical interpretations of the models have varied widely. In this new approach we use Bayesian statistics to determine the separation of the larger asteroids, which are fitted with a single Maxwellian distribution, from the smaller asteroids, which are fitted by a mixture of Maxwellian distributions. It is found that the optimal separation occurs at about 32.5 km, and that a mixture of three Maxwellians comprising slow rotators, fast rotators and a population identical to the larger asteroids provides the best fit.
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