A Comprehensive Model for Activation of Main Belt Comets

Author(s)

Nader Haghighipour, Thomas Maindl

Abstract

Main Belt Comets (MBCs) are asteroidal bodies with tails similar to those

of comets. It has been suggested that the comet-like activity of these

activated asteroids is due to the sublimation of sub-surface water-ice

that is exposed when these objects are impacted by meter-sized bodies.

We have developed a comprehensive model for this scenario where using a

3D SPH approach, we simulate collisions between m-sized and km-sized

bodies, and determine the probability of ice exposure. Results show that

ice is exposed in the bottom and surface of impact craters, and also

accrete on the surface of the MBC. Impact craters have depths of ∼

15 m, implying that ice has been located within the top 15 m of the

object. This has strong implications for models of ice longevity in the

asteroid belt. Results also suggest that the activities of current MBCs

are most probably from multiple impact sites. We present the details of

our simulations and discuss their implications for the origin of Earth's

water.

Organisation(s)

Department of Astrophysics

External organisation(s)

University of Hawaii

Publication date

09-2018

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics

Keywords

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