Some aspects of asteroid mass determination

Abstract

There is great variety of astronomical objects in the Universe. Each of these classes of objects follows a certain distribution function in size, luminosity or mass. Most individual mass distributions approximately follow a power law of the form f(M)∞M-2. Anotable exception are planets and small bodies which seem to obey a flatter distribution. In spite of the rapidly growing number of newly detected extrasolar planets, our knowledge of the mass function of planetary and small bodies relay entirely on the our Solar System. If is there a 'universal' mass distribution for astronomical objects on all scales, it will be very important to know mass distribtuion of small solar system bodies. Having in mind mentioned reasons we will present methods for asteroid mass determination as well as some of most interesting results.