NASA Scientists Use Radar to Detect Asteroid Force

In article ,
Jim Greenfield wrote:
Thanks Joe. I gather from this that the effect only occurs if the
asteroid is rotating with, its axis pointed other than at the sun

Correct, but that's true in general. Asteroid spin rates vary from
asteroid to asteroid, but they all spin at least slowly. The direction
of the axis is almost random -- and in some cases it isn't stable -- but
it wouldn't point directly at the Sun for very long, because the asteroid's
orbital motion would (effectively) move the Sun.
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MOST launched 30 June; first light, 29 July; 5arcsec | Henry Spencer
pointing, 10 Sept; first science, early Oct; all well. |