It stands to reason that asteroids that have experienced numerous impacts are generally riddled with holes and have a honeycomb-like surface, but what do we see on the surface of asteroids? Did it go well? , why is this?
James, a senior scientist from the Institute of Planetary Science? A paper recently published by James Richardson explained that every impact will produce new impact craters and new floating soil on the surface of asteroids, but it will also lead to earthquake events inside asteroids. The earthquake will degrade the floating soil or disappear the previous impact crater.
Richardson said that these findings are based on the analysis of observation data of three asteroids, 433 eros, 2867 stans and 25 143 Itokawa. The first goal of this study is to investigate and simulate the generation, loss and retention of weathering layer caused by the impact of asteroids 433 eros, 2867 stans and 25143 ITOCAWA observed by spacecraft. The second goal is to investigate and simulate the influence of earthquake vibration caused by impact on the number of these three asteroid craters. Richardson published articles in this field as early as 2004 and 2005, but this work includes new asteroid observation and greatly improved modeling technology.
In order to carry out this research, the researchers used the numerical, three-dimensional and small pit terrain evolution model (SBCTEM) introduced in a research paper in 2009, which greatly improved this work. In this model, the computer-generated asteroid surface is bombarded by millions of small objects in the order of time function, and the collision in the middle of the asteroid main belt is simulated.
Each impact will create a new crater on the surface of the model, which will collapse the sediments and ejecta covering the surrounding terrain? Cover? In the form of topsoil. Then, with the occurrence of large-scale earthquake events, the surface soil on the virtual surface gradually moved to the bottom of all craters, slowly degenerated and erased the pre-existing craters.
Using this model, the research team can reproduce the crater record and weathering layer of asteroid 433 eros with a diameter of 17 km, including its few small craters with a diameter less than 100 m; Records of heavy softening craters and weathering layers of asteroid 2867 stans with a diameter of 5 kilometers, including a few craters with a diameter less than 500 meters; And the very low impact record of asteroid 25 143 Sichuan with a diameter of 0.35 km.
These simulations prove the effectiveness of the earthquake vibration caused by the impact, which can degrade and erase the small craters on the surface of asteroids with a diameter of less than 25 kilometers, and correctly reproduce the records of crater formation and degradation observed by them. These simulations also show that the surface soil observed in the range of 5 to 50 kilometers on the asteroid can only be explained and simulated by the crater formation process, and the depth of the surface soil can be used as an additional means to estimate the surface age of a specific asteroid in addition to the crater formation record.
So, do you know why asteroids that have been hit millions of times are not as riddled with holes as beehives or cinders, but very? Did it go well? The shape of. This is because every impact will have an impact on asteroids? Facial cleaning? .