On the approximation of a nearly dynamically symmetric rigid body by two balls

A nearly dynamically symmetric rigid body is considered. An approximation of this body by a system of two homogeneous balls is studied, such that the components of the Euler–Poinsot tensor of the original body and its approximation coincide up to the third order and the moments of inertia of the body are well approximated by the moments of inertia of the system of two balls. Asteroids 1620 Geographos and 25143 Itokawa are considered as examples.