Resonant Structure of the THEMIS Asteroid Family

Details Resonant Structure of the THEMIS Asteroid Family Resonant Structure of the THEMIS Asteroid Family

Sep 1996

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996dps....28.1006k&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #28, #10.06; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 28, p.1097

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

The existence of resonant structure associated with low-order Jovian mean-motion commensurabilities within the main asteroid belt is already well established. However, previous studies have also suggested evidence for gaps within individual asteroid families. Whereas the Kirkwood gaps in the main asteroid belt are known to result from the actual removal of asteroids from resonant locations, it is not clear if this is also the case for the gaps evident within asteroid families. Indeed, the fact that asteroid families are identified by clustering in proper element space prompted Dermott & Murray (1981) to suggest that some of these gaps might only result from a failure to identify asteroids undergoing resonant perturbations as family members. We have investigated this hypothesis for the particular case of the Themis family of asteroids by numerically integrating the orbits of a carefully created artificial asteroid family. The orbital elements for this artificial family were constructed with proper element distributions closely resembling those of the actual Themis family but with any resonant structure removed. These orbits were then evolved to determine whether asteroids were indeed being removed from resonant locations and to monitor the mechanisms by which this occurred. We present evidence which indicates that the 2:1 Jovian mean-motion resonance may have played an important role in depleting the original Themis asteroid family of some of its members.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Resonant Structure of the THEMIS Asteroid Family 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 Resonant Structure of the THEMIS Asteroid Family, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Resonant Structure of the THEMIS Asteroid Family will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1461328