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We report a new active asteroid in the main belt of asteroids between Marsand Jupiter. Object (62412) 2000 SY178 exhibited a tail in images collectedduring our survey for objects beyond the Kuiper Belt using the Dark EnergyCamera (DECam) on the CTIO 4 meter telescope. We obtained broad-band colors of62412 at the Magellan telescope, which along with 62412's low albedo suggest itis a C-type asteroid. 62412's orbital dynamics and color strongly correlatewith the Hygiea family in the outer main belt, making it the first activeasteroid known in this heavily populated family. We also find 62412 to have avery short rotation period of 3.33+-0.01 hours from a double-peaked light curvewith a maximum peak-to-peak amplitude of 0.45+-0.01 magnitudes. We identify62412 as the fastest known rotator of the Hygiea family and the nearby Themisfamily of similar composition, which contains several known main belt comets.The activity on 62412 was seen over 1 year after perihelion passage in its 5.6year orbit. 62412 has the highest perihelion and one of the most circularorbits known for any active asteroid. The observed activity is probably linkedto 62412's rapid rotation, which is near the critical period for break-up. Thefast spin rate may also change the shape and shift material around 62412'ssurface, possibly exposing buried ice. Assuming 62412 is a strengthless rubblepile, we find the density of 62412 to be around 1500 kg/m3.

Discovery and Characteristics of the Rapidly Rotating Active Asteroid (62412) 2000 SY178 in the Main Belt