The dynamical connection between Phaethon and Pallas

TL;DR

This study investigates the dynamical link between asteroid Phaethon and Pallas, revealing a high probability of orbital transfer from Pallas to Phaethon via key resonances, suggesting a potential origin connection.

Contribution

The paper demonstrates a high efficiency of dynamical flow from Pallas to Phaethon through specific resonances, using advanced numerical methods to quantify transfer probabilities.

Findings

43.6% of particles in 5:2 resonance reach Phaethon orbit

46.9% of particles in 8:3 resonance reach Phaethon orbit

High dynamical transfer efficiency between Pallas and Phaethon

Abstract

Phaethon (3200) is an active Near Earth Asteroid classified as a B-type object and a suspected former member of the Pallas family. In this article, we search for sources of Phaethon-like orbits originating from the two strongest resonances in the region of the Pallas family; namely, the 5:2 and 8:3 mean motion resonances with Jupiter, located at $a\sim 2.82$ AU and $a \sim 2.70$ AU, respectively. The probability for this dynamical connection observed in \cite{deLeon2010} was close to $2$ per cent. Using sophisticated numerical methods, we found a highly efficient dynamical flow between Pallas and Phaethon. As many as $43.6$ per cent of test particles placed in the 5:2 resonance were able to reach the orbit of Phaethon; whereas, for the 8:3 resonance, this percentage was $46.9$ per cent.