Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.5007h&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #50.07
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
1
Scientific paper
It has been hypothesized that electrostatic forces may cause dust levitation on asteroids, similar to what is seen on the moon. Previous work by Colwell et al. (Icarus 2005) provides a model of the electrostatic force for the 2D case. We increase the fidelity of Colwell's model by implementing a spherical gravity field dependence. Using the 2D model we are able to identify the conditions required for particles to undergo sustained levitation (oscillation) above an asteroid's surface. We find a range of initial launching velocities and dust particle radii that result in particle oscillation. Prescribing an initial launching velocity (as described by Colwell 2005), however, can bias the model away from the physical phenomenon. We resolve this discrepancy by setting the electric potential of the particle equal to that of the surface. The initial launching velocity is then determined by the strength of the repulsive force acting on the particle. By comparing the oscillation conditions to the escape velocities for the particles (from the two-body problem) and the expected initial velocity (from the repulsive forces), it is possible to predict whether a particle with a given radius will escape, re-impact or oscillate above the asteroid's surface. We explore the same phenomenon in the 3D case, now including solar radiation pressure acting on the dust particles. Since the surface potential varies as a function of the launching location, simulations were run at randomly generated initial locations. The 3D case, assuming a spherical asteroid and spherical dust particles, was compared to the 2D case for Eros and we find a larger incidence of predicted oscillation as compared to the 2D case. Thus, the inclusion of solar radiation pressure may facilitate sustained particle levitation and hence transport across the asteroid surface. This work was funded by the NASA Discovery Data Analysis Program.
Hartzell Christine
Scheeres Dan
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