Hirayama family

A Dictionary of Astronomy | 1997 | 459 words | Copyright

Hirayama family A group of asteroids whose members have very similar orbital characteristics (semimajor axis, eccentricity, and inclination), and are believed to share a common origin. Hirayama families are thought to result from the break-up of larger asteroids several hundred kilometres in size following catastrophic collisions. They are named after the Japanese astronomer Kiyotsugu Hirayama (1874–1943), who demonstrated their existence in 1918.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

"Hirayama family." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Hirayama family." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Hirayamafamily.html

"Hirayama family." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-Hirayamafamily.html

Learn more about citation styles