Momentum Transfer in Oblique Impacts: Implications for Asteroid Rotations

Details Momentum Transfer in Oblique Impacts: Implications for Asteroid Rotations Momentum Transfer in Oblique Impacts: Implications for Asteroid Rotations

Jul 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000icar..146..270y&link_type=abstract

Icarus, Volume 146, Issue 1, pp. 270-288 (2000).

Mathematics

6

Scientific paper

We calculate the momentum transfer efficiency for small cratering impacts from 59 high-velocity (0.76-4.4 km/s) oblique impact experiments using nylon projectiles and targets made of basalt, aluminum, mild steel, mortar, and nylon. High-speed video frames show an initial luminous stream downrange of impact point for all the target materials. For basaltic and mortar targets there follows axi-symmetric ejection of target material around surface normal at the impact point. Our results suggest that: (1) momentum carried away by the axi-symmetric ejecta would significantly contribute to the normal component of momentum transfer efficiency; and (2) thepenetration depth of the projectile into target could determine the tangential momentum transfer efficiency. We calculated the efficiency of angular momentum transfer from the translational motion of projectiles to the rotation of ellipsoidal asteroids using the efficiencies for the linear momentum. The efficiency is more than four times that for spherical asteroid at their principal axis ratio of 2 : 1.4 : 1. If the experimental results hold for the impact that formed the largest crater on 253 Mathilde, the largest projectile estimated may have despun the asteroid to the present slow rotation by chance.

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