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The first direct detection of the asteroidal YORP effect, a phenomenon thatchanges the spin states of small bodies due to thermal reemission of sunlightfrom their surfaces, was obtained for (54509) YORP 2000 PH5. Such an alterationcan slowly increase the rotation rate of asteroids, driving them to reach theirfission limit and causing their disruption. This process can produce binariesand unbound asteroid pairs. Secondary fission opens the door to the eventualformation of transient but genetically-related groupings. Here, we show thatthe small near-Earth asteroid (NEA) 2017 FZ2 was a co-orbital of our planet ofthe quasi-satellite type prior to their close encounter on 2017 March 23.Because of this flyby with the Earth, 2017 FZ2 has become a non-resonant NEA.Our N-body simulations indicate that this object may have experiencedquasi-satellite engagements with our planet in the past and it may return as aco-orbital in the future. We identify a number of NEAs that follow similarpaths, the largest named being YORP, which is also an Earth's co-orbital. Anapparent excess of NEAs moving in these peculiar orbits is studied within theframework of two orbit population models. A possibility that emerges from thisanalysis is that such an excess, if real, could be the result of mass sheddingfrom YORP itself or a putative larger object that produced YORP. Futurespectroscopic observations of 2017 FZ2 during its next visit in 2018 (and ofrelated objects when feasible) may be able to confirm or reject thisinterpretation.

Asteroid 2017 FZ2 et al.: signs of recent mass-shedding from YORP?