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Rotational breakup as the origin of small binary asteroids

Author

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  • Kevin J. Walsh

    (UMR 6202 Cassiopée, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, BP 4229, 06304 Nice Cedex 4, France
    University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-2421, USA)

  • Derek C. Richardson

    (University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742-2421, USA)

  • Patrick Michel

    (UMR 6202 Cassiopée, University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis, CNRS, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, BP 4229, 06304 Nice Cedex 4, France)

Abstract

Binary asteroids: Satellites formed from the rubble Many asteroids and trans-neptunian objects have satellites: the tally stands at over 150 on http://tinyurl.com/dweqf . The smallest of these binary systems are main-belt and near-Earth asteroids, but the environments of these two types of object are very different, making it difficult to work out a common mechanism to explain their formation. Now Walsh et al. present a model that fits the bill. Properties of the observed main-belt and near-Earth asteroids with satellites are matched by simulations involving the slow spinup of a 'rubble pile' asteroid via the thermal YORP effect (where radiation from an irregular body exerts a net force on that body). The mass shed from the equator of a spinning body accretes into a satellite if the material consists of particles undergoing energy-dissipating collisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin J. Walsh & Derek C. Richardson & Patrick Michel, 2008. "Rotational breakup as the origin of small binary asteroids," Nature, Nature, vol. 454(7201), pages 188-191, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:454:y:2008:i:7201:d:10.1038_nature07078
    DOI: 10.1038/nature07078
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. J. Bigot & P. Lombardo & N. Murdoch & D. J. Scheeres & D. Vivet & Y. Zhang & J. Sunshine & J. B. Vincent & O. S. Barnouin & C. M. Ernst & R. T. Daly & C. Sunday & P. Michel & A. Campo-Bagatin & A. Luc, 2024. "The bearing capacity of asteroid (65803) Didymos estimated from boulder tracks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.

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