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Find & Track Fast Spinning Asteroids in Databases

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Find & Track Fast Spinning Asteroids in Databases

This guide shows you how to locate and monitor fast-spinning asteroids using public astronomy databases. You’ll learn to search for objects with short rotation periods, interpret the data, and set up tracking for new discoveries. No specialized software is needed—just a web browser and a basic understanding of astronomical terms.

What You’ll Need

  • A computer or mobile device with internet access
  • A web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge)
  • Optional: A free account on the Minor Planet Center (MPC) website to access advanced search features and alerts
  • Basic familiarity with terms like rotation period, lightcurve, and apparent magnitude

Step-by-Step

  1. Choose a database. The most comprehensive sources are the Minor Planet Center (minorplanetcenter.net), the NASA JPL Small-Body Database (ssd.jpl.nasa.gov), and the Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB) maintained by the Collaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Link (CALL). For this guide, we’ll focus on the LCDB and MPC because they contain rotation period data.
  2. Access the Asteroid Lightcurve Database (LCDB). Go to the CALL website (http://www.minorplanet.info/lightcurvedatabase.html). This database compiles published rotation periods for asteroids. You can download the full database as a text file or use the online query form.
  3. Search for fast rotators. In the LCDB query form, set the “Period” field to a maximum value (e.g., 0.1 hours, which is 6 minutes). This will return asteroids with rotation periods shorter than that threshold. Alternatively, download the full database and filter using a spreadsheet program.
  4. Interpret the results. The LCDB lists each asteroid’s number and name, the rotation period in hours, the amplitude (brightness variation), the quality code (U), and the reference. A period of 0.05 hours (3 minutes) is extremely fast—only a few dozen such objects are known. Note that the quality code indicates reliability: U=3 means well-defined, U=2 means good, U=1 means poor.
  5. Cross-check with the Minor Planet Center. Once you have a candidate, look it up in the MPC database. Go to minorplanetcenter.net and use the “Search” function. Enter the asteroid’s designation (e.g., 2020 CD3) to confirm its orbital elements and discovery date. This helps you verify that the object is real and not a misidentified artifact.
  6. Check the JPL Small-Body Database. For additional physical parameters, visit ssd.jpl.nasa.gov and enter the asteroid’s designation. The “Physical Properties” tab may show the rotation period if it’s been measured. If not, you can still get the absolute magnitude and diameter estimates.
  7. Set up tracking for new discoveries. Fast-spinning asteroids are often discovered as near-Earth objects (NEOs). To track new ones, go to the MPC’s “NEO Confirmation Page” (https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/NEO/toconfirm.html). This page lists newly discovered objects that need follow-up observations. You can monitor it daily for objects with short rotation periods—though the rotation period isn’t listed here, you can look up the object in the LCDB once it’s numbered.
  8. Use the MPC’s “Fast Rotators” list. The MPC maintains a list of asteroids with extremely short rotation periods (under 0.1 hours) at https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/Periods.html. This is the quickest way to see the current known fast rotators. Bookmark this page for regular checks.
  9. Join an alert service. If you want to be notified of new fast rotators, consider joining the Minor Planet Mailing List (MPML) or following the MPC’s RSS feed. These services announce new discoveries and unusual objects, including those with very short periods.
  10. Document your findings. Keep a spreadsheet with columns for designation, period, amplitude, quality code, and date of last observation. This helps you track how your chosen asteroids are being studied over time.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing rotation period with orbital period. The rotation period is how long the asteroid spins on its axis (hours), not how long it takes to orbit the Sun (years).
  • Ignoring the quality code. A period listed as 0.05 hours with U=1 is less reliable than one with U=3. Always check the code before drawing conclusions.
  • Using outdated data. The LCDB is updated regularly. Always download the latest version or check the revision date.
  • Forgetting that fast rotators are rare. Most asteroids have rotation periods between 2 and 12 hours. Objects under 0.1 hours are exceptional, so don’t be surprised if your search returns very few results.

Tips

  • Use the LCDB’s “Period” field with a maximum value. The query form allows you to set an upper bound. Start with 0.1 hours (6 minutes) and adjust if you get too many results.
  • Look for asteroids with high amplitudes. A large amplitude (e.g., >0.5 magnitudes) suggests an elongated shape, which is common among fast rotators.
  • Check the discovery date. Fast rotators are often discovered recently because they are small and faint. If an object was discovered decades ago, it may have been re-observed.
  • Use the JPL Small-Body Database’s “close approach” data. If an asteroid is coming near Earth, you might be able to observe it yourself with a telescope.

Troubleshooting

  • No results in LCDB. If your search returns nothing, try increasing the maximum period to 0.2 hours. Also ensure you’re using the correct field name (“Period” or “Rot Period”).
  • Database is down. The LCDB is hosted on a university server that may occasionally be offline. Try the MPC’s list of fast rotators as a backup.
  • Can’t find an asteroid in JPL. The JPL database uses the full designation (e.g., “2020 CD3”). If you only have a number (e.g., 2020), search with the number and no spaces.
  • Period seems too short to be real. Objects with periods under 0.1 hours are near the physical limit—if the period is below about 0.03 hours (1.8 minutes), it may be a measurement error or a contact binary. Always check the reference paper.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the fastest known asteroid rotation? The current record is around 0.02 hours (about 1.2 minutes) for a few small near-Earth asteroids. These are likely monolithic rocks rather than rubble piles.
  2. Why do fast rotators matter? They help scientists understand the internal structure of asteroids. If an asteroid spins too fast, it would break apart unless it’s solid and cohesive.
  3. Can I observe a fast rotator with my own telescope? Possibly, if the asteroid is bright enough (magnitude < 15) and you have a CCD camera. You would need to take a series of images to measure the brightness variations.
  4. Is the LCDB free to use? Yes, it’s freely accessible online. The download is a plain text file that you can open in any spreadsheet program.
  5. How often are new fast rotators discovered? A few are discovered each year, usually as a result of dedicated surveys like ATLAS or Pan-STARRS. The MPC’s confirmation page is updated daily with new NEO candidates.
  6. What does the “U” code mean in LCDB? It’s the quality code: 3 = well-defined, 2 = good, 1 = poor, and 0 = uncertain. Prefer objects with U=3 for reliable data.

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