Influence of Planetary Encounters on the Magnitude of the Yarkovsky Effect in Asteroid Dynamics

Abstract

The influence of the solar radiation pressure and the Yarkovsky effect on the long-term orbital dynamics is estimated for a number of asteroids experiencing successive planetary encounters. The variation in the asteroid’s proper rotation period due to its approach to the planet and its effect on the asteroid’s further orbital dynamics through the Yarkovsky effect is considered. It is shown that close planetary encounters of small asteroids (tens of meters in diameter) with short rotation period (less than 10 h), which change the asteroid’s rotation period by several hours, significantly affect the magnitude of the Yarkovsky effect.