Bias-corrected population, size distribution, and impact hazard for the near-Earth objects

Details Bias-corrected population, size distribution, and impact hazard for the near-Earth objects Bias-corrected population, size distribution, and impact hazard for the near-Earth objects

Aug 2004

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004icar..170..295s&link_type=abstract

Icarus, Volume 170, Issue 2, p. 295-311.

Mathematics

Logic

89

Asteroids, Cratering, Moon

Scientific paper

Utilizing the largest available data sets for the observed taxonomic (Binzel et al., 2004, Icarus 170, 259-294) and albedo (Delbo et al., 2003, Icarus 166, 116-130) distributions of the near-Earth object population, we model the bias-corrected population. Diameter-limited fractional abundances of the taxonomic complexes are A-0.2%; C-10%, D-17%, O-0.5%, Q-14%, R-0.1%, S-22%, U-0.4%, V-1%, X-34%. In a diameter-limited sample, ~30% of the NEO population has jovian Tisserand parameter less than 3, where the D-types and X-types dominate. The large contribution from the X-types is surprising and highlights the need to better understand this group with more albedo measurements. Combining the C, D, and X complexes into a ``dark'' group and the others into a ``bright'' group yields a debiased dark-to-bright ratio of ~1.6. Overall, the bias-corrected mean albedo for the NEO population is 0.14+/-0.02, for which an H magnitude of 17.8+/-0.1 translates to a diameter of 1 km, in close agreement with Morbidelli et al. (2002, Icarus 158 (2), 329-342). Coupling this bias corrected taxonomic and albedo model with the H magnitude dependent size distribution of (Stuart, 2001, Science 294, 1691-1693) yields a diameter distribution with 1090+/-180 NEOs with diameters larger than 1 km. As of 2004 June, the Spaceguard Survey has discovered 56% of the NEOs larger than 1 km. Using our size distribution model, and orbital distribution of (Stuart, 2001, Science 294, 1691-1693) we calculate the frequency of impacts into the Earth and the Moon. Globally destructive collisions (~1021 J) of asteroids 1 km or larger strike the Earth once every 0.60+/-0.1 Myr on average. Regionally destructive collisions with impact energy greater than 4×1018 J (~200 m diameter) strike the Earth every 56,000+/-6000 yr. Collisions in the range of the Tunguska event (4-8×1016 J) occur every 2000-3000 yr. These values represent the average time between randomly spaced impacts; actual impacts could occur more or less closely spaced solely by chance. As a verification of these impact rates, the crater production function of Shoemaker et al. (1990, Geological Society of American Special Paper 247) has been updated by combining this new population model with a crater formation model to find that the observed crater production function on both the Earth and Moon agrees with the rate of crater production expected from the current population of NEOs.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Bias-corrected population, size distribution, and impact hazard for the near-Earth objects 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 Bias-corrected population, size distribution, and impact hazard for the near-Earth objects, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bias-corrected population, size distribution, and impact hazard for the near-Earth objects will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1088376