Nonextensive distributions of asteroid rotation periods and diameters

Context. We investigate the distribution of asteroid rotation periods from different regions of the solar system and diameter distributions of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). Aims. We aim to verify if nonextensive statistics satisfactorily describes the data. Methods. Light curve data were taken from the Planetary Database System (PDS) with Rel ≥ 2. We also considered the taxonomic class and region of the solar system. Data of NEA were taken from the Minor Planet Center. Results. The rotation periods of asteroids follow a q-Gaussian with q = 2.6 regardless of taxonomy, diameter, or region of the solar system of the object. The distribution of rotation periods is influenced by observational bias. The diameters of NEAs are described by a q-exponential with q = 1.3. According to this distribution, there are expected to be 994 ± 30 NEAs with diameters greater than 1 km.