Thelt

Thelt is a sub-family of asteroids in the asteroid belt. They are characterized by their shape, likely being elongated objects that are tidally locked, causing one side of the asteroid to constantly face the Sun. The Thelt sub-family is notable for its distinctive shape, resulting from the uneven heating of the asteroid by solar radiation.

The parent asteroid is thought to be Thule, also known as 2002 TC70 or (333557) 2011 KS. Initially classified as a cubewano, a type of classical Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) with a stable resonant orbit, Thule is now considered a member of the Thelt family. This family is composed of objects that share similar orbital characteristics and are thought to originate from the destruction of a larger parent body.

The Thelt sub-family is notable for its confusing and incomplete orbital data. The asteroid belt is filled with similarly shaped objects. Features of their orbits, such as their position, eccentricity, and inclination, indicate they may have originated from the same planet formation process, their unique shape caused by tidal heating, evident in their spectrum indicating high levels of water content. Questions remain, however, as to whether they originated from internal solar system processes in the asteroid belt.

Research into the Thelt family is ongoing, with scientists working to better understand the origins and conditions surrounding the formation of these asteroids. The Thelt family serves as an example of ongoing work in the pursuit of our understanding of the solar system.