Fragmentation of colliding planetesimals with water content

Author(s)
Thomas Maindl, Rudolf Dvorak, Christoph Schäfer, Roland Speith
Abstract

We investigate the outcome of collisions of Ceres-sized planetesimals composed of a rocky core and a shell of water ice. These collisions are not only relevant for explaining the formation of planetary embryos in early planetary systems, but also provide insight into the formation of asteroid families and possible water transport via colliding small bodies. Earlier studies show characteristic collision velocities exceeding the bodies' mutual escape velocity which - along with the distribution of the impact angles - cover the collision outcome regimes 'partial accretion', 'erosion', and 'hit-and-run' leading to different expected fragmentation scenarios. Existing collision simulations use bodies composed of strengthless material; we study the distribution of fragments and their water contents considering the full elasto-plastic continuum mechanics equations also including brittle failure and fragmentation.

Organisation(s)
Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s)
Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
Journal
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
Volume
9
Pages
138-141
No. of pages
4
ISSN
1743-9213
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743921314008059
Publication date
07-2014
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Nutrition and Dietetics, Medicine (miscellaneous), Space and Planetary Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/6ab56d94-1d4f-4e06-9fbb-ecc1c76eeda8