The fossilized size distribution of the main asteroid belt

Details The fossilized size distribution of the main asteroid belt The fossilized size distribution of the main asteroid belt

May 2005

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005icar..175..111b&link_type=abstract

Icarus, Volume 175, Issue 1, p. 111-140.

Physics

153

Scientific paper

Planet formation models suggest the primordial main belt experienced a short but intense period of collisional evolution shortly after the formation of planetary embryos. This period is believed to have lasted until Jupiter reached its full size, when dynamical processes (e.g., sweeping resonances, excitation via planetary embryos) ejected most planetesimals from the main belt zone. The few planetesimals left behind continued to undergo comminution at a reduced rate until the present day. We investigated how this scenario affects the main belt size distribution over Solar System history using a collisional evolution model (CoEM) that accounts for these events. CoEM does not explicitly include results from dynamical models, but instead treats the unknown size of the primordial main belt and the nature/timing of its dynamical depletion using innovative but approximate methods. Model constraints were provided by the observed size frequency distribution of the asteroid belt, the observed population of asteroid families, the cratered surface of differentiated Asteroid (4) Vesta, and the relatively constant crater production rate of the Earth and Moon over the last 3 Gyr. Using CoEM, we solved for both the shape of the initial main belt size distribution after accretion and the asteroid disruption scaling law QD∗. In contrast to previous efforts, we find our derived QD∗ function is very similar to results produced by numerical hydrocode simulations of asteroid impacts. Our best fit results suggest the asteroid belt experienced as much comminution over its early history as it has since it reached its low-mass state approximately 3.9 4.5 Ga. These results suggest the main belt's wavy-shaped size-frequency distribution is a “fossil” from this violent early epoch. We find that most diameter D≳120 km asteroids are primordial, with their physical properties likely determined during the accretion epoch. Conversely, most smaller asteroids are byproducts of fragmentation events. The observed changes in the asteroid spin rate and lightcurve distributions near D˜100 120 km are likely to be a byproduct of this difference. Estimates based on our results imply the primordial main belt population (in the form of D<1000 km bodies) was 150 250 times larger than it is today, in agreement with recent dynamical simulations.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The fossilized size distribution of the main asteroid belt 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 The fossilized size distribution of the main asteroid belt, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The fossilized size distribution of the main asteroid belt will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1435978