# Disintegration of Active Asteroid P/2016 G1 (PANSTARRS)

## TL;DR

This paper reports the catastrophic breakup of asteroid P/2016 G1, caused by an impact event, leading to a ring of large fragments and unique morphological features observed over three months.

## Contribution

It presents the first detailed morphological analysis of G1's disintegration, proposing a collision-induced disruption with a ring of fragments as the cause.

## Key findings

- Disintegration occurred in March 2016.
- Ring of large fragments moving at ~2.5 m/s was observed.
- Morphology suggests impact-induced disruption.

## Abstract

We report on the catastrophic disintegration of P/2016 G1 (PANSTARRS), an active asteroid, in April 2016. Deep images over three months show that object is constituted by a central concentration of fragments surrounded by an elongated coma, and presents previously unreported sharp arc-like and a narrow linear features. The morphology and evolution of these characteristics independently point toward a brief event on 2016 March 6. The arc and the linear feature can be reproduced by large particles on a ring, moving at ~2.5 m/s. The expansion of the ring defines a cone with a ~40deg half-opening. We propose that G1 was hit by a small object which caused its (partial or total) disruption, and that the ring corresponds to large fragments ejected during the final stages of the crater formation.}