Planetary and exoplanetary Astronomy Lunch Seminar (PALS) for 2020-03-09

Series: Planetary and exoplanetary Astronomy Lunch Seminar (PALS)
Date: Monday 09-Mar-2020
Time: 11:15-12:15
Location: ATL 1250
Speaker: Harrison Agrusa (UMD)
Title: The Excited Spin State of Didymos B Induced by the DART Impact

NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) is designed to be the first demonstration of a kinetic impactor for planetary defense against a small body impact hazard. The target is the smaller component of the binary asteroid 65803 Didymos. I will present results from a suite of high-fidelity Full Two-Body Problem (F2BP) simulations that explore the parameter space of possible dynamical outcomes. Due to their irregular shapes and tight separation of both bodies, the system exhibits highly non-Keplerian behavior and strong spin-orbit coupling. This leads to peculiar dynamical outcomes including large free and forced librations. In some cases, the secondary's spin evolution becomes chaotic and can even break from the 1:1 spin-orbit resonance.

I will also discuss how Didymos B's internal structure may affect its post-impact libration state and the degree to which this may be measured with ground-based radar observations or with the ESA's newly approved follow-up mission, Hera. If the post-impact libration can be measured to sufficient precision, it may provide an effective way to measure Didymos B's moments of inertia.

For further information contact PALS coordinator Dr. Lori Feaga at feaga@astro.umd.edu or (301)-405-1383.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:

Special accommodations for individuals with disabilities can be made by calling (301) 405-3001. It would be appreciated if we are notified at least one week in advance.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

Directions and information about parking can be found here.

This page was automatically generated on: 27-Feb-2020.