1
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Scheeres DJ, French AS, Tricarico P, Chesley SR, Takahashi Y, Farnocchia D, McMahon JW, Brack DN, Davis AB, Ballouz RL, Jawin ER, Rozitis B, Emery JP, Ryan AJ, Park RS, Rush BP, Mastrodemos N, Kennedy BM, Bellerose J, Lubey DP, Velez D, Vaughan AT, Leonard JM, Geeraert J, Page B, Antreasian P, Mazarico E, Getzandanner K, Rowlands D, Moreau MC, Small J, Highsmith DE, Goossens S, Palmer EE, Weirich JR, Gaskell RW, Barnouin OS, Daly MG, Seabrook JA, Al Asad MM, Philpott LC, Johnson CL, Hartzell CM, Hamilton VE, Michel P, Walsh KJ, Nolan MC, Lauretta DS. Heterogeneous mass distribution of the rubble-pile asteroid (101955) Bennu. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eabc3350. [PMID: 33033036 PMCID: PMC7544499 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc3350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The gravity field of a small body provides insight into its internal mass distribution. We used two approaches to measure the gravity field of the rubble-pile asteroid (101955) Bennu: (i) tracking and modeling the spacecraft in orbit about the asteroid and (ii) tracking and modeling pebble-sized particles naturally ejected from Bennu's surface into sustained orbits. These approaches yield statistically consistent results up to degree and order 3, with the particle-based field being statistically significant up to degree and order 9. Comparisons with a constant-density shape model show that Bennu has a heterogeneous mass distribution. These deviations can be modeled with lower densities at Bennu's equatorial bulge and center. The lower-density equator is consistent with recent migration and redistribution of material. The lower-density center is consistent with a past period of rapid rotation, either from a previous Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack cycle or arising during Bennu's accretion following the disruption of its parent body.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Scheeres
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA.
| | - A S French
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - P Tricarico
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - S R Chesley
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Y Takahashi
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - D Farnocchia
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - J W McMahon
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - D N Brack
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - A B Davis
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - R-L Ballouz
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - E R Jawin
- Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - B Rozitis
- Planetary and Space Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - J P Emery
- Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - A J Ryan
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - R S Park
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - B P Rush
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - N Mastrodemos
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - B M Kennedy
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - J Bellerose
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - D P Lubey
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - D Velez
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - A T Vaughan
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - J Geeraert
- KinetX Aerospace Inc., Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | - B Page
- KinetX Aerospace Inc., Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | | | - E Mazarico
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | | | - D Rowlands
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - M C Moreau
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - J Small
- Aerospace Corporation, Chantilly, VA, USA
| | | | - S Goossens
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
- Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - E E Palmer
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - J R Weirich
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - R W Gaskell
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - O S Barnouin
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - M G Daly
- The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J A Seabrook
- The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - M M Al Asad
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - L C Philpott
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - C L Johnson
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - C M Hartzell
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - V E Hamilton
- Department of Space Studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - P Michel
- Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice, France
| | - K J Walsh
- Department of Space Studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - M C Nolan
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D S Lauretta
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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2
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Lauretta DS, Hergenrother CW, Chesley SR, Leonard JM, Pelgrift JY, Adam CD, Al Asad M, Antreasian PG, Ballouz RL, Becker KJ, Bennett CA, Bos BJ, Bottke WF, Brozović M, Campins H, Connolly HC, Daly MG, Davis AB, de León J, DellaGiustina DN, Drouet d'Aubigny CY, Dworkin JP, Emery JP, Farnocchia D, Glavin DP, Golish DR, Hartzell CM, Jacobson RA, Jawin ER, Jenniskens P, Kidd JN, Lessac-Chenen EJ, Li JY, Libourel G, Licandro J, Liounis AJ, Maleszewski CK, Manzoni C, May B, McCarthy LK, McMahon JW, Michel P, Molaro JL, Moreau MC, Nelson DS, Owen WM, Rizk B, Roper HL, Rozitis B, Sahr EM, Scheeres DJ, Seabrook JA, Selznick SH, Takahashi Y, Thuillet F, Tricarico P, Vokrouhlický D, Wolner CWV. Episodes of particle ejection from the surface of the active asteroid (101955) Bennu. Science 2020; 366:366/6470/eaay3544. [PMID: 31806784 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay3544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Active asteroids are those that show evidence of ongoing mass loss. We report repeated instances of particle ejection from the surface of (101955) Bennu, demonstrating that it is an active asteroid. The ejection events were imaged by the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft. For the three largest observed events, we estimated the ejected particle velocities and sizes, event times, source regions, and energies. We also determined the trajectories and photometric properties of several gravitationally bound particles that orbited temporarily in the Bennu environment. We consider multiple hypotheses for the mechanisms that lead to particle ejection for the largest events, including rotational disruption, electrostatic lofting, ice sublimation, phyllosilicate dehydration, meteoroid impacts, thermal stress fracturing, and secondary impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Lauretta
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - C W Hergenrother
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - S R Chesley
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | | | - C D Adam
- KinetX Aerospace, Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | - M Al Asad
- Department of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - R-L Ballouz
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - K J Becker
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C A Bennett
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - B J Bos
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - W F Bottke
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - M Brozović
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - H Campins
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - H C Connolly
- Department of Geology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA.,Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - M G Daly
- The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - A B Davis
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - J de León
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - D N DellaGiustina
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.,Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - J P Dworkin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - J P Emery
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.,Department of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
| | - D Farnocchia
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - D P Glavin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - D R Golish
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C M Hartzell
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - R A Jacobson
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - E R Jawin
- Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - P Jenniskens
- SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - J N Kidd
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - J-Y Li
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - G Libourel
- Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique), Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice, France
| | - J Licandro
- Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias and Departamento de Astrofísica, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - A J Liounis
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - C K Maleszewski
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C Manzoni
- London Stereoscopic Company, London, UK
| | - B May
- London Stereoscopic Company, London, UK
| | | | - J W McMahon
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - P Michel
- Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique), Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice, France
| | - J L Molaro
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - M C Moreau
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | | | - W M Owen
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - B Rizk
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - H L Roper
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - B Rozitis
- School of Physical Sciences, Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - E M Sahr
- KinetX Aerospace, Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | - D J Scheeres
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - J A Seabrook
- The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - S H Selznick
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Y Takahashi
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - F Thuillet
- Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS (Centre national de la recherche scientifique), Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice, France
| | - P Tricarico
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D Vokrouhlický
- Institute of Astronomy, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - C W V Wolner
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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3
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Scheeres DJ, McMahon JW, Brack DN, French AS, Chesley SR, Farnocchia D, Vokrouhlický D, Ballouz R, Emery JP, Rozitis B, Nolan MC, Hergenrother CW, Lauretta DS. Particle Ejection Contributions to the Rotational Acceleration and Orbit Evolution of Asteroid (101955) Bennu. J Geophys Res Planets 2020; 125:e2019JE006284. [PMID: 32714726 PMCID: PMC7375169 DOI: 10.1029/2019je006284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper explores the implications of the observed Bennu particle ejection events for that asteroid's spin rate and orbit evolution, which could complicate interpretation of the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) and Yarkovsky effects on this body's spin rate and orbital evolution. Based on current estimates of particle ejection rates, we find that the overall contribution to Bennu's spin and orbital drift is small or negligible as compared to the Yarkovsky and YORP effects. However, if there is a large unseen component of smaller mass ejections or a strong directionality in the ejection events, it could constitute a significant contribution that could mask the overall YORP effect. This means that the YORP effect may be stronger than currently assumed. The analysis is generalized so that the particle ejection effect can be assessed for other bodies that may be subject to similar mass loss events. Further, our model can be modified to address different potential mechanisms of particle ejection, which are a topic of ongoing study.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. J. Scheeres
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering SciencesUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCOUSA
| | - J. W. McMahon
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering SciencesUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCOUSA
| | - D. N. Brack
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering SciencesUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCOUSA
| | - A. S. French
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering SciencesUniversity of Colorado BoulderBoulderCOUSA
| | - S. R. Chesley
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - D. Farnocchia
- Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of TechnologyPasadenaCAUSA
| | - D. Vokrouhlický
- Institute of AstronomyCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - R.‐L. Ballouz
- Lunar and Planetary LaboratoryUniversity of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
| | - J. P. Emery
- Department of Earth and Planetary SciencesUniversity of TennesseeKnoxvilleTNUSA
| | - B. Rozitis
- Planetary and Space Sciences, School of Physical SciencesThe Open UniversityMilton KeynesUK
| | - M. C. Nolan
- Lunar and Planetary LaboratoryUniversity of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
| | | | - D. S. Lauretta
- Lunar and Planetary LaboratoryUniversity of ArizonaTucsonAZUSA
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4
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Lauretta DS, DellaGiustina DN, Bennett CA, Golish DR, Becker KJ, Balram-Knutson SS, Barnouin OS, Becker TL, Bottke WF, Boynton WV, Campins H, Clark BE, Connolly HC, Drouet d'Aubigny CY, Dworkin JP, Emery JP, Enos HL, Hamilton VE, Hergenrother CW, Howell ES, Izawa MRM, Kaplan HH, Nolan MC, Rizk B, Roper HL, Scheeres DJ, Smith PH, Walsh KJ, Wolner CWV. The unexpected surface of asteroid (101955) Bennu. Nature 2019; 568:55-60. [PMID: 30890786 PMCID: PMC6557581 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1033-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
NASA'S Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft recently arrived at the near-Earth asteroid (101955) Bennu, a primitive body that represents the objects that may have brought prebiotic molecules and volatiles such as water to Earth1. Bennu is a low-albedo B-type asteroid2 that has been linked to organic-rich hydrated carbonaceous chondrites3. Such meteorites are altered by ejection from their parent body and contaminated by atmospheric entry and terrestrial microbes. Therefore, the primary mission objective is to return a sample of Bennu to Earth that is pristine-that is, not affected by these processes4. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft carries a sophisticated suite of instruments to characterize Bennu's global properties, support the selection of a sampling site and document that site at a sub-centimetre scale5-11. Here we consider early OSIRIS-REx observations of Bennu to understand how the asteroid's properties compare to pre-encounter expectations and to assess the prospects for sample return. The bulk composition of Bennu appears to be hydrated and volatile-rich, as expected. However, in contrast to pre-encounter modelling of Bennu's thermal inertia12 and radar polarization ratios13-which indicated a generally smooth surface covered by centimetre-scale particles-resolved imaging reveals an unexpected surficial diversity. The albedo, texture, particle size and roughness are beyond the spacecraft design specifications. On the basis of our pre-encounter knowledge, we developed a sampling strategy to target 50-metre-diameter patches of loose regolith with grain sizes smaller than two centimetres4. We observe only a small number of apparently hazard-free regions, of the order of 5 to 20 metres in extent, the sampling of which poses a substantial challenge to mission success.
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Affiliation(s)
- D S Lauretta
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - D N DellaGiustina
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C A Bennett
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D R Golish
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - K J Becker
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - O S Barnouin
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - T L Becker
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - W F Bottke
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - W V Boynton
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - H Campins
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - B E Clark
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - H C Connolly
- Department of Geology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA
| | | | - J P Dworkin
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - J P Emery
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - H L Enos
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - C W Hergenrother
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - E S Howell
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - M R M Izawa
- Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University-Misasa, Misasa, Japan
| | - H H Kaplan
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - M C Nolan
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - B Rizk
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - H L Roper
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D J Scheeres
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - P H Smith
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - K J Walsh
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - C W V Wolner
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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5
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Scheeres DJ, McMahon JW, French AS, Brack DN, Chesley SR, Farnocchia D, Takahashi Y, Leonard JM, Geeraert J, Page B, Antreasian P, Getzandanner K, Rowlands D, Mazarico E, Small J, Highsmith DE, Moreau M, Emery JP, Rozitis B, Hirabayashi M, Sánchez P, Wal SV, Tricarico P, Ballouz RL, Johnson CL, Asad MMA, Susorney HCM, Barnouin OS, Daly MG, Seabrook J, Gaskell RW, Palmer EE, Weirich JR, Walsh KJ, Jawin ER, Bierhaus EB, Michel P, Bottke WF, Nolan MC, Connolly HC, Lauretta DS. The dynamic geophysical environment of (101955) Bennu based on OSIRIS-REx measurements. Nat Astron 2019; 3:352-361. [PMID: 32601603 PMCID: PMC7323631 DOI: 10.1038/s41550-019-0721-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The top-shape morphology of asteroid (101955) Bennu is commonly found among fast-spinning asteroids and binary asteroid primaries, and might have contributed significantly to binary asteroid formation. Yet a detailed geophysical analysis of this morphology for a fast-spinning asteroid has not been possible prior to the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) mission. Combining the measured Bennu mass and shape obtained during the Preliminary Survey phase of OSIRIS-REx, we find a significant transition in Bennu's surface slopes within its rotational Roche lobe, defined as the region where material is energetically trapped to the surface. As the intersection of the rotational Roche lobe with Bennu's surface has been most recently migrating towards its equator (given Bennu's increasing spin rate), we infer that Bennu's surface slopes have been changing across its surface within the last million years. We also find evidence for substantial density heterogeneity within this body, suggesting that its interior has a distribution of voids and boulders. The presence of such heterogeneity and Bennu's top-shape is consistent with spin-induced failure at some point in its past, although the manner of its failure cannot be determined yet. Future measurements by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will give additional insights and may resolve questions regarding the formation and evolution of Bennu's top-shape morphology and its link to the formation of binary asteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Scheeres
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - J W McMahon
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - A S French
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - D N Brack
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - S R Chesley
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - D Farnocchia
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Y Takahashi
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - J M Leonard
- KinetX Aerospace, Inc., Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | - J Geeraert
- KinetX Aerospace, Inc., Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | - B Page
- KinetX Aerospace, Inc., Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | | | | | - D Rowlands
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - E Mazarico
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - J Small
- Aerospace Corporation, Chantilly, VA, USA
| | | | - M Moreau
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - J P Emery
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - B Rozitis
- Planetary and Space Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | | | - P Sánchez
- Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - S Van Wal
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara, Japan
| | - P Tricarico
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - R-L Ballouz
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C L Johnson
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - M M Al Asad
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - H C M Susorney
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - O S Barnouin
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - M G Daly
- The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - J Seabrook
- The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - R W Gaskell
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - E E Palmer
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - J R Weirich
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - K J Walsh
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - E R Jawin
- Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - E B Bierhaus
- Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Denver, CO, USA
| | - P Michel
- Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice, France
| | - W F Bottke
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - M C Nolan
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - H C Connolly
- School of Earth and Environment, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, USA
| | - D S Lauretta
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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6
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Barnouin OS, Daly MG, Palmer EE, Gaskell RW, Weirich JR, Johnson CL, Asad MMA, Roberts JH, Perry ME, Susorney HCM, Daly RT, Bierhaus EB, Seabrook JA, Espiritu RC, Nair AH, Nguyen L, Neumann GA, Ernst CM, Boynton WV, Nolan MC, Adam CD, Moreau MC, Risk B, D'Aubigny CD, Jawin ER, Walsh KJ, Michel P, Schwartz SR, Ballouz RL, Mazarico EM, Scheeres DJ, McMahon J, Bottke W, Sugita S, Hirata N, Hirata N, Watanabe S, Burke KN, DellaGuistina DN, Bennett CA, Lauretta DS. Shape of (101955) Bennu indicative of a rubble pile with internal stiffness. Nat Geosci 2019; 12:247-252. [PMID: 31080497 PMCID: PMC6505705 DOI: 10.1038/s41561-019-0330-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The shapes of asteroids reflect interplay between their interior properties and the processes responsible for their formation and evolution as they journey through the Solar System. Prior to the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) mission, Earth-based radar imaging gave an overview of (101955) Bennu's shape. Here, we construct a high-resolution shape model from OSIRIS-REx images. We find that Bennu's top-like shape, considerable macroporosity, and prominent surface boulders suggest that it is a rubble pile. High-standing, north-south ridges that extend from pole to pole, many long grooves, and surface mass wasting indicate some low levels of internal friction and/or cohesion. Our shape model indicates that, similar to other top-shaped asteroids, Bennu formed by reaccumulation and underwent past periods of fast spin leading to its current shape. Today, Bennu might follow a different evolutionary pathway, with interior stiffness permitting surface cracking and mass wasting.
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Affiliation(s)
- O S Barnouin
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - M G Daly
- The Centre for Research in Earth and Space Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - E E Palmer
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - R W Gaskell
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - J R Weirich
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C L Johnson
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - M M Al Asad
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - J H Roberts
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - M E Perry
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - H C M Susorney
- Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - R T Daly
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - E B Bierhaus
- Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, Denver, CO, USA
| | | | - R C Espiritu
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - A H Nair
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - L Nguyen
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - G A Neumann
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - C M Ernst
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA
| | - W V Boynton
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - M C Nolan
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C D Adam
- KinetX Aerospace, Inc. Simi Valley, CA, USA
| | - M C Moreau
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - B Risk
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - E R Jawin
- Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - K J Walsh
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - P Michel
- Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange, Nice, France
| | - S R Schwartz
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - R-L Ballouz
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - E M Mazarico
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
| | - D J Scheeres
- Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - J McMahon
- Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - W Bottke
- Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - S Sugita
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - N Hirata
- Aizu University, Aizu-Wakamatsu, Japan
| | | | - S Watanabe
- Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, JAXA, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - K N Burke
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - C A Bennett
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D S Lauretta
- Lunar Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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7
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Watanabe S, Hirabayashi M, Hirata N, Hirata N, Noguchi R, Shimaki Y, Ikeda H, Tatsumi E, Yoshikawa M, Kikuchi S, Yabuta H, Nakamura T, Tachibana S, Ishihara Y, Morota T, Kitazato K, Sakatani N, Matsumoto K, Wada K, Senshu H, Honda C, Michikami T, Takeuchi H, Kouyama T, Honda R, Kameda S, Fuse T, Miyamoto H, Komatsu G, Sugita S, Okada T, Namiki N, Arakawa M, Ishiguro M, Abe M, Gaskell R, Palmer E, Barnouin OS, Michel P, French AS, McMahon JW, Scheeres DJ, Abell PA, Yamamoto Y, Tanaka S, Shirai K, Matsuoka M, Yamada M, Yokota Y, Suzuki H, Yoshioka K, Cho Y, Tanaka S, Nishikawa N, Sugiyama T, Kikuchi H, Hemmi R, Yamaguchi T, Ogawa N, Ono G, Mimasu Y, Yoshikawa K, Takahashi T, Takei Y, Fujii A, Hirose C, Iwata T, Hayakawa M, Hosoda S, Mori O, Sawada H, Shimada T, Soldini S, Yano H, Tsukizaki R, Ozaki M, Iijima Y, Ogawa K, Fujimoto M, Ho TM, Moussi A, Jaumann R, Bibring JP, Krause C, Terui F, Saiki T, Nakazawa S, Tsuda Y. Hayabusa2 arrives at the carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu-A spinning top-shaped rubble pile. Science 2019; 364:268-272. [PMID: 30890588 DOI: 10.1126/science.aav8032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The Hayabusa2 spacecraft arrived at the near-Earth carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu in 2018. We present Hayabusa2 observations of Ryugu's shape, mass, and geomorphology. Ryugu has an oblate "spinning top" shape, with a prominent circular equatorial ridge. Its bulk density, 1.19 ± 0.02 grams per cubic centimeter, indicates a high-porosity (>50%) interior. Large surface boulders suggest a rubble-pile structure. Surface slope analysis shows Ryugu's shape may have been produced from having once spun at twice the current rate. Coupled with the observed global material homogeneity, this suggests that Ryugu was reshaped by centrifugally induced deformation during a period of rapid rotation. From these remote-sensing investigations, we identified a suitable sample collection site on the equatorial ridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Watanabe
- Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan. .,Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | | | - N Hirata
- University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu 965-8580, Japan
| | - Na Hirata
- Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - R Noguchi
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - Y Shimaki
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - H Ikeda
- Research and Development Directorate, JAXA, Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - E Tatsumi
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - M Yoshikawa
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - S Kikuchi
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - H Yabuta
- Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - T Nakamura
- Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - S Tachibana
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan.,Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - Y Ishihara
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - T Morota
- Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
| | - K Kitazato
- University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu 965-8580, Japan
| | - N Sakatani
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - K Matsumoto
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Mitaka 181-8588, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - K Wada
- Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino 275-0016, Japan
| | - H Senshu
- Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino 275-0016, Japan
| | - C Honda
- University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu 965-8580, Japan
| | - T Michikami
- Kindai University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-2116, Japan
| | - H Takeuchi
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - T Kouyama
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo 135-0064 Japan
| | - R Honda
- Kochi University, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
| | - S Kameda
- Rikkyo University, Tokyo 171-8501, Japan
| | - T Fuse
- National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Kashima 314-8501, Japan
| | - H Miyamoto
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - G Komatsu
- Università d'Annunzio, 65127 Pescara, Italy.,Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino 275-0016, Japan
| | - S Sugita
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - T Okada
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - N Namiki
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Mitaka 181-8588, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - M Arakawa
- Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - M Ishiguro
- Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - M Abe
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - R Gaskell
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ 85710, USA
| | - E Palmer
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ 85710, USA
| | - O S Barnouin
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USA
| | - P Michel
- Université Côte d'Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire Lagrange, 06304 Nice, France
| | - A S French
- University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - J W McMahon
- University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | | | - P A Abell
- NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX 77058, USA
| | - Y Yamamoto
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - S Tanaka
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - K Shirai
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - M Matsuoka
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - M Yamada
- Chiba Institute of Technology, Narashino 275-0016, Japan
| | - Y Yokota
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,Kochi University, Kochi 780-8520, Japan
| | - H Suzuki
- Meiji University, Kawasaki 214-8571, Japan
| | - K Yoshioka
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Y Cho
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - S Tanaka
- Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | | | - T Sugiyama
- University of Aizu, Aizu-Wakamatsu 965-8580, Japan
| | - H Kikuchi
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - R Hemmi
- University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - T Yamaguchi
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - N Ogawa
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - G Ono
- Research and Development Directorate, JAXA, Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - Y Mimasu
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - K Yoshikawa
- Research and Development Directorate, JAXA, Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - T Takahashi
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - Y Takei
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - A Fujii
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - C Hirose
- Research and Development Directorate, JAXA, Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - T Iwata
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - M Hayakawa
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - S Hosoda
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - O Mori
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - H Sawada
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - T Shimada
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - S Soldini
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - H Yano
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - R Tsukizaki
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - M Ozaki
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - Y Iijima
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - K Ogawa
- Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan
| | - M Fujimoto
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - T-M Ho
- DLR (German Aerospace Center), Institute of Space Systems, 28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - A Moussi
- Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), 31401 Toulouse, France
| | - R Jaumann
- DLR, Institute of Planetary Research, 12489 Berlin-Adlershof, Germany
| | - J-P Bibring
- Institute d'Astrophysique Spatiale, 91405 Orsay, France
| | - C Krause
- DLR, Microgravity User Support Center, 51147 Cologne, Germany
| | - F Terui
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - T Saiki
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - S Nakazawa
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan
| | - Y Tsuda
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Sagamihara 252-5210, Japan.,SOKENDAI (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Hayama 240-0193, Japan
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8
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Hergenrother CW, Maleszewski CK, Nolan MC, Li JY, Drouet d'Aubigny CY, Shelly FC, Howell ES, Kareta TR, Izawa MRM, Barucci MA, Bierhaus EB, Campins H, Chesley SR, Clark BE, Christensen EJ, DellaGiustina DN, Fornasier S, Golish DR, Hartzell CM, Rizk B, Scheeres DJ, Smith PH, Zou XD, Lauretta DS. The operational environment and rotational acceleration of asteroid (101955) Bennu from OSIRIS-REx observations. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1291. [PMID: 30890725 PMCID: PMC6425024 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09213-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During its approach to asteroid (101955) Bennu, NASA's Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft surveyed Bennu's immediate environment, photometric properties, and rotation state. Discovery of a dusty environment, a natural satellite, or unexpected asteroid characteristics would have had consequences for the mission's safety and observation strategy. Here we show that spacecraft observations during this period were highly sensitive to satellites (sub-meter scale) but reveal none, although later navigational images indicate that further investigation is needed. We constrain average dust production in September 2018 from Bennu's surface to an upper limit of 150 g s-1 averaged over 34 min. Bennu's disk-integrated photometric phase function validates measurements from the pre-encounter astronomical campaign. We demonstrate that Bennu's rotation rate is accelerating continuously at 3.63 ± 0.52 × 10-6 degrees day-2, likely due to the Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack (YORP) effect, with evolutionary implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C W Hergenrother
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| | - C K Maleszewski
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - M C Nolan
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - J-Y Li
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - F C Shelly
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - E S Howell
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - T R Kareta
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - M R M Izawa
- Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University-Misasa, Misasa, Tottori, Japan
| | - M A Barucci
- LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Meudon, France
| | | | - H Campins
- Department of Physics, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - S R Chesley
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - B E Clark
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - E J Christensen
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D N DellaGiustina
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - S Fornasier
- LESIA, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Meudon, France
| | - D R Golish
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - C M Hartzell
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - B Rizk
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D J Scheeres
- Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - P H Smith
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - X-D Zou
- Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - D S Lauretta
- Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
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9
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Scheeres DJ. Relative Equilibria in the Spherical, Finite Density Three-Body Problem. J Nonlinear Sci 2016; 26:1445-1482. [PMID: 28690365 PMCID: PMC5477774 DOI: 10.1007/s00332-016-9309-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The relative equilibria for the spherical, finite density three-body problem are identified. Specifically, there are 28 distinct relative equilibria in this problem which include the classical five relative equilibria for the point-mass three-body problem. None of the identified relative equilibria exist or are stable over all values of angular momentum. The stability and bifurcation pathways of these relative equilibria are mapped out as the angular momentum of the system is increased. This is done under the assumption that they have equal and constant densities and that the entire system rotates about its maximum moment of inertia. The transition to finite density greatly increases the number of relative equilibria in the three-body problem and ensures that minimum energy configurations exist for all values of angular momentum.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. J. Scheeres
- Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences, The University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO USA
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10
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Scheeres DJ, Fahnestock EG, Ostro SJ, Margot JL, Benner LAM, Broschart SB, Bellerose J, Giorgini JD, Nolan MC, Magri C, Pravec P, Scheirich P, Rose R, Jurgens RF, De Jong EM, Suzuki S. Dynamical configuration of binary near-Earth asteroid (66391) 1999 KW4. Science 2006; 314:1280-3. [PMID: 17038588 DOI: 10.1126/science.1133599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Dynamical simulations of the coupled rotational and orbital dynamics of binary near-Earth asteroid 66391 (1999 KW4) suggest that it is excited as a result of perturbations from the Sun during perihelion passages. Excitation of the mutual orbit will stimulate complex fluctuations in the orbit and rotation of both components, inducing the attitude of the smaller component to have large variation within some orbits and to hardly vary within others. The primary's proximity to its rotational stability limit suggests an origin from spin-up and disruption of a loosely bound precursor within the past million years.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Scheeres
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, 1320 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2140, USA.
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11
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Fujiwara A, Kawaguchi J, Yeomans DK, Abe M, Mukai T, Okada T, Saito J, Yano H, Yoshikawa M, Scheeres DJ, Barnouin-Jha O, Cheng AF, Demura H, Gaskell RW, Hirata N, Ikeda H, Kominato T, Miyamoto H, Nakamura AM, Nakamura R, Sasaki S, Uesugi K. The rubble-pile asteroid Itokawa as observed by Hayabusa. Science 2006; 312:1330-4. [PMID: 16741107 DOI: 10.1126/science.1125841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
During the interval from September through early December 2005, the Hayabusa spacecraft was in close proximity to near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa, and a variety of data were taken on its shape, mass, and surface topography as well as its mineralogic and elemental abundances. The asteroid's orthogonal axes are 535, 294, and 209 meters, the mass is 3.51 x 10(10) kilograms, and the estimated bulk density is 1.9 +/- 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The correspondence between the smooth areas on the surface (Muses Sea and Sagamihara) and the gravitationally low regions suggests mass movement and an effective resurfacing process by impact jolting. Itokawa is considered to be a rubble-pile body because of its low bulk density, high porosity, boulder-rich appearance, and shape. The existence of very large boulders and pillars suggests an early collisional breakup of a preexisting parent asteroid followed by a re-agglomeration into a rubble-pile object.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Fujiwara
- Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 229-8510, Japan.
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Scheeres DJ. Relative Equilibria for General Gravity Fields in the Sphere-Restricted Full Two-Body Problem. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2005; 1065:375-90. [PMID: 16510421 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1370.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Equilibrium conditions for a mutually attracting general mass distribution and point mass are stated. The equilibrium conditions can be reduced to six equations in six unknowns, plus the existence of integrals of motion consisting of the total angular momentum and energy of the system. The equilibrium conditions are further reduced to two independent equations, and their theoretical properties are studied. We state a set of necessary and sufficient conditions for an equilibrium that is well suited to the computation of certain classes of equilibria. These equations are solved for nonsymmetric gravity fields of interest, using a real asteroid shape model for the general gravity fields. The stability of the resulting equilibria are also noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Scheeres
- Aerospace Engineering Department, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Abstract
The stability of relative equilibrium solutions for the interaction of two massive bodies is explored. We restrict ourselves to the interaction between an ellipsoid and a sphere, both with finite mass. The study of this problem has application to modeling the relative dynamics of binary asteroids, the motion of spacecraft about small bodies, and the dynamics of gravity gradient satellites. The relative equilibrium can be parameterized by a few constants, including the mass ratio of the two bodies, the shape of the ellipsoid, and the normalized distance between the two bodies. Planar stability is characterized over this range of parameter values. When restricted to motion in the symmetry plane, the dynamical problem can be reduced to a two-degrees of freedom Hamiltonian system, which allows for an efficient computation of stability characteristics of the relative equilibria. Future work will look at full stability of these relative equilibria.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Scheeres
- The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2140, USA.
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Abstract
The fuel optimality of third-body driven plane changes (i.e., plane changes performed by using third-body forces) over one-impulse transfers is investigated numerically and analytically. In particular, the range of third-body driven plane changes that are realizable is shown to be restricted and one impulse must be used in the uncovered regions. However, when third-body driven plane changes are realizable, it is shown that they are always optimal above a certain critical value (about 40 degrees ) that depends on the initial condition. Contour plots of optimal DeltaV values to perform a desired plane changes are given.
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Affiliation(s)
- B F Villac
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2140, USA
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Longuski JM, Fischbach E, Scheeres DJ. Deflection of spacecraft trajectories as a new test of general relativity. Phys Rev Lett 2001; 86:2942-2945. [PMID: 11290078 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.86.2942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2000] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
We derive a simple formula which gives the general relativistic deflection of a spacecraft, idealized as a point mass, for all values of the asymptotic speed V(infinity) (0< or =V(infinity)< or =1). Using this formula we suggest a new test of general relativity (GR) which can be carried out during a proposed interstellar mission that involves a close pass of the Sun. We show that, with foreseeable improvements in spacecraft tracking sensitivity, the deflection of a spacecraft's trajectory in the gravitational field of the Sun could provide a new test of GR.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Longuski
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-1282, USA
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Yeomans DK, Antreasian PG, Barriot J, Chesley SR, Dunham DW, Farquhar RW, Giorgini JD, Helfrich CE, Konopliv AS, McAdams JV, Miller JK, Owen WM, Scheeres DJ, Thomas PC, Veverka J, Williams BG. Radio science results during the NEAR-shoemaker spacecraft rendezvous with eros. Science 2000; 289:2085-8. [PMID: 11000104 DOI: 10.1126/science.289.5487.2085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 148] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
We determined the mass of asteroid 433 Eros, its lower order gravitational harmonics, and rotation state, using ground-based Doppler and range tracking of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR)-Shoemaker spacecraft and images of the asteroid's surface landmarks. The mass of Eros is (6.687 +/- 0.003) x 10(18) grams, which, coupled with our volume estimate, implies a bulk density of 2. 67 +/- 0.03 grams per cubic centimeter. The asteroid appears to have a uniform density distribution. The right ascension and declination of the rotation pole are 11.37 +/- 0.05 and 17.22 +/- 0.05 degrees, respectively, and at least over the short term, the rotation state of Eros is stable with no measurable free precession of the spin pole. Escape velocities on the surface vary from 3.1 to 17.2 meters per second. The dynamical environment of Eros suggests that it is covered with regolith and that one might expect material transport toward the deepest potential wells in the saddle and 5.5-kilometer crater regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- DK Yeomans
- Navigation and Mission Design Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109, USA. Department of Terrestrial and Planetary Geodesy, Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, Toulouse, France. Applied
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Abstract
Radar observations of the main-belt, M-class asteroid 216 Kleopatra reveal a dumbbell-shaped object with overall dimensions of 217 kilometers by 94 kilometers by 81 kilometers (+/-25%). The asteroid's surface properties are consistent with a regolith having a metallic composition and a porosity comparable to that of lunar soil. Kleopatra's shape is probably the outcome of an exotic sequence of collisional events, and much of its interior may have an unconsolidated rubble-pile structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- SJ Ostro
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91109-8099, USA. School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-2752, USA. Arecibo Observatory, HC3 Box
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Yeomans DK, Barriot J, Dunham DW, Farquhar RW, Giorgini JD, Helfrich CE, Konopliv AS, McAdams JV, Miller JK, Owen WM, Scheeres DJ, Synnott SP, Williams BG. Estimating the mass of asteroid 253 mathilde from tracking data during the NEAR flyby. Science 1997; 278:2106-9. [PMID: 9405343 DOI: 10.1126/science.278.5346.2106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The terminal navigation of the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft during its close flyby of asteroid 253 Mathilde involved coordinated efforts to determine the heliocentric orbits of the spacecraft and Mathilde and then to determine the relative trajectory of the spacecraft with respect to Mathilde. The gravitational perturbation of Mathilde on the passing spacecraft was apparent in the spacecraft tracking data. As a result of the accurate targeting achieved, these data could be used to determine Mathilde's mass as 1.033 (+/- 0.044) x 10(20) grams. Coupled with a volume estimate provided by the NEAR imaging team, this mass suggests a low bulk density for Mathilde of 1.3 grams per cubic centimeter.
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Affiliation(s)
- DK Yeomans
- D. K. Yeomans, J. D. Giorgini, C. E. Helfrich, A. S. Konopliv, J. K. Miller, W. M. Owen Jr., D. J. Scheeres, S. P. Synnott, B. G. Williams, Navigation and Flight Mechanics Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), California Institute of Tech
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