Inferring interiors and structural history of top-shaped asteroids from external properties of asteroid (101955) Bennu

Yun Zhang (), Patrick Michel, Olivier S. Barnouin, James H. Roberts, Michael G. Daly, Ronald-L. Ballouz, Kevin J. Walsh, Derek C. Richardson, Christine M. Hartzell and Dante S. Lauretta
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Yun Zhang: Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange
Patrick Michel: Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS, Laboratoire Lagrange
Olivier S. Barnouin: The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory
James H. Roberts: The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory
Michael G. Daly: York University
Ronald-L. Ballouz: The Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory
Kevin J. Walsh: Southwest Research Institute
Derek C. Richardson: University of Maryland
Christine M. Hartzell: University of Maryland
Dante S. Lauretta: University of Arizona

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Asteroid interiors play a key role in our understanding of asteroid formation and evolution. As no direct interior probing has been done yet, characterisation of asteroids’ interiors relies on interpretations of external properties. Here we show, by numerical simulations, that the top-shaped rubble-pile asteroid (101955) Bennu’s geophysical response to spinup is highly sensitive to its material strength. This allows us to infer Bennu’s interior properties and provide general implications for top-shaped rubble piles’ structural evolution. We find that low-cohesion (≲0.78 Pa at surface and ≲1.3 Pa inside) and low-friction (friction angle ≲ 35∘) structures with several high-cohesion internal zones can consistently account for all the known geophysical characteristics of Bennu and explain the absence of moons. Furthermore, we reveal the underlying mechanisms that lead to different failure behaviours and identify the reconfiguration pathways of top-shaped asteroids as functions of their structural properties that either facilitate or prevent the formation of moons.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32288-y

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