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Inferring interiors and structural history of top-shaped asteroids from external properties of asteroid (101955) Bennu

Author

Listed:
  • Yun Zhang

    (Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange
    University of Maryland)

  • Patrick Michel

    (Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange)

  • Olivier S. Barnouin

    (The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory)

  • James H. Roberts

    (The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory)

  • Michael G. Daly

    (York University)

  • Ronald-L. Ballouz

    (The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory
    University of Arizona)

  • Kevin J. Walsh

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • Derek C. Richardson

    (University of Maryland)

  • Christine M. Hartzell

    (University of Maryland)

  • Dante S. Lauretta

    (University of Arizona)

Abstract

Asteroid interiors play a key role in our understanding of asteroid formation and evolution. As no direct interior probing has been done yet, characterisation of asteroids’ interiors relies on interpretations of external properties. Here we show, by numerical simulations, that the top-shaped rubble-pile asteroid (101955) Bennu’s geophysical response to spinup is highly sensitive to its material strength. This allows us to infer Bennu’s interior properties and provide general implications for top-shaped rubble piles’ structural evolution. We find that low-cohesion (≲0.78 Pa at surface and ≲1.3 Pa inside) and low-friction (friction angle ≲ 35∘) structures with several high-cohesion internal zones can consistently account for all the known geophysical characteristics of Bennu and explain the absence of moons. Furthermore, we reveal the underlying mechanisms that lead to different failure behaviours and identify the reconfiguration pathways of top-shaped asteroids as functions of their structural properties that either facilitate or prevent the formation of moons.

Suggested Citation

  • Yun Zhang & Patrick Michel & Olivier S. Barnouin & James H. Roberts & Michael G. Daly & Ronald-L. Ballouz & Kevin J. Walsh & Derek C. Richardson & Christine M. Hartzell & Dante S. Lauretta, 2022. "Inferring interiors and structural history of top-shaped asteroids from external properties of asteroid (101955) Bennu," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-32288-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32288-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. S. Cambioni & M. Delbo & G. Poggiali & C. Avdellidou & A. J. Ryan & J. D. P. Deshapriya & E. Asphaug & R.-L. Ballouz & M. A. Barucci & C. A. Bennett & W. F. Bottke & J. R. Brucato & K. N. Burke & E. C, 2021. "Fine-regolith production on asteroids controlled by rock porosity," Nature, Nature, vol. 598(7879), pages 49-52, October.
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    4. P. Michel & R.-L. Ballouz & O. S. Barnouin & M. Jutzi & K. J. Walsh & B. H. May & C. Manzoni & D. C. Richardson & S. R. Schwartz & S. Sugita & S. Watanabe & H. Miyamoto & M. Hirabayashi & W. F. Bottke, 2020. "Collisional formation of top-shaped asteroids and implications for the origins of Ryugu and Bennu," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. M. Pajola & F. Tusberti & A. Lucchetti & O. Barnouin & S. Cambioni & C. M. Ernst & E. Dotto & R. T. Daly & G. Poggiali & M. Hirabayashi & R. Nakano & E. Mazzotta Epifani & N. L. Chabot & V. Corte & A., 2024. "Evidence for multi-fragmentation and mass shedding of boulders on rubble-pile binary asteroid system (65803) Didymos," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Olivier Barnouin & Ronald-Louis Ballouz & Simone Marchi & Jean-Baptiste Vincent & Harrison Agrusa & Yun Zhang & Carolyn M. Ernst & Maurizio Pajola & Filippo Tusberti & Alice Lucchetti & R. Terik Daly , 2024. "The geology and evolution of the Near-Earth binary asteroid system (65803) Didymos," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Colas Q. Robin & Alexia Duchene & Naomi Murdoch & Jean-Baptiste Vincent & Alice Lucchetti & Maurizio Pajola & Carolyn M. Ernst & R. Terik Daly & Olivier S. Barnouin & Sabina D. Raducan & Patrick Miche, 2024. "Mechanical properties of rubble pile asteroids (Dimorphos, Itokawa, Ryugu, and Bennu) through surface boulder morphological analysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    4. K. J. Walsh & R-L. Ballouz & W. F. Bottke & C. Avdellidou & H. C. Connolly Jr & M. Delbo & D. N. DellaGiustina & E. R. Jawin & T. McCoy & P. Michel & T. Morota & M. C. Nolan & S. R. Schwartz & S. Sugi, 2024. "Numerical simulations suggest asteroids (101955) Bennu and (162173) Ryugu are likely second or later generation rubble piles," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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