Near-Earth Asteroid satellite formation via tidal distruption of idealized rubble piles

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

We present preliminary analysis of numerical simulations of Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) tidal disruption resulting in bound, orbiting systems. Using a rubble pile model we have constrained the relative likelihoods for possible physical and dynamical properties of the binaries created. Overall, in 90,000 simulations performed, varying close approach distance and velocity, as well as progenitor spin and shape, we have found close to 10,000 binaries. The secondary-to-primary size ratios of the simulated binaries are strongly peaked between 0.1 and 0.3, similar to observed trends. The spin axes of the primary bodies are very closely aligned with the angular momenta of the binary orbits, whereas the secondary spin axes are nearly random. The final orbital inclination of the binary is slightly more correlated with the spin of the progenitor than the orientation of the encounter. This is work in progress; future work will focus on the long-term viability of asteroid satellites formed by tidal disruption and include an assesment of the predicted equilibrium NEA binary population for comparison with observations. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. AST0307549.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Near-Earth Asteroid satellite formation via tidal distruption of idealized rubble piles does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Near-Earth Asteroid satellite formation via tidal distruption of idealized rubble piles, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Near-Earth Asteroid satellite formation via tidal distruption of idealized rubble piles will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1014085

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.