BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Record spin rate for cosmic body

Astronomers have discovered the fastest rotating object for its size in the
Solar System.

The Kuiper Belt Object 2003 EL61, discovered in July, rotates once every 3.9
hours.

More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4230056.stm

Interesting that this should happen with a planet already reported to have a
satellite. The fact that it is more than twice as dense as water but very
bright suggests a differentiated interior, which is in accord with its size
(recent observations of Ceres suggest that it also has such an interior).

"Nick" wrote in message
...
Astronomers have discovered the fastest rotating object for its size in
the
Solar System.

The Kuiper Belt Object 2003 EL61, discovered in July, rotates once every
3.9
hours.

More at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4230056.stm

JRS: In article , dated
Fri, 9 Sep 2005 20:30:14, seen in news:uk.sci.astronomy, Nick n_rw-
lid posted :

Astronomers have discovered the fastest rotating object for its size in the
Solar System.

The Kuiper Belt Object 2003 EL61, discovered in July, rotates once every 3.9
hours.

The size is not important, for a gravitationally-bound object - and ISTM
that at KBO distances any object large enough to be detected will be
such.

It is rotating at about half of the maximum angular rate for a g-b stony
object.

URL:http://www.merlyn.demon.co.uk/gravity0.htm ff. etc.

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