Abstract
The dependence of the cumulative number of numbered asteroids (up to 3720) on their absolute magnitude is investigated. The differential mass index k is derived from these relations for fainter asteroids. A steeper slope (2.2 < k < 2.4) is found in the four most populous asteroid familes (Flora, Koronis, Eos and Themis) and a flatter slope (1.3 < k < 1.6) for non-family asteroids. This indicates that there are two different asteroid populations in the asteorid belt. Total masses of the asteroid families may be greater than it is commonly accepted.
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Klačka, J. Mass distribution in the asteroid belt. Earth Moon Planet 56, 47–52 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00054599
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00054599
