YORP effect

noun

The effect of solar radiation on an asymmetric asteroid or other small body whereby its rate of rotation increases, potentially leading to the object's eventual disintegration.

Similar
Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack effect
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Meanings

nounYORP effect (plural YORP effects)

plural YORP effects

  1. astrophysicsThe effect of solar radiation on an asymmetric asteroid or other small body whereby its rate of rotation increases, potentially leading to the object's eventual disintegration.

    Synonyms: Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack effect

Synonyms & antonyms

nounThe effect of solar radiation on an asymmetric asteroid or other small body whereby its rate of rotation increases, potentially leading to the object's eventual disintegration.

Similar
Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack effect
Also see
yarkovsky-o'keefe-radzievskii-paddack effect

Origin

From the first letters of the surnames Yarkovsky, O'Keefe, Radzievskii and Paddack + effect. Coined in 2000 by American geophysicist David Perry Rubincam.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

YORP effect. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/YORP%20effect

MLA

“YORP effect.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/YORP%20effect. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “YORP effect,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/YORP%20effect.

Source: YORP effect on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.