Dynamics around the binary system (65803) Didymos

TL;DR

This study uses numerical simulations to analyze the stability and dynamics of particles around the binary asteroid system Didymos, providing insights relevant for planetary defense and asteroid impact missions.

Contribution

It offers a detailed dynamical analysis of particles near Didymos, considering shape and mass distribution, which is novel for understanding impact effects and mission planning.

Findings

Identified stable regions around Didymos and Dimorphos.

Mapped the lifetime of particles in different regions.

Provided insights into the dynamical environment for impact missions.

Abstract

Didymos and Dimorphos are primary and secondary, respectively, asteroids who compose a binary system that make up the set of Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs). They are targets of the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), the first test mission dedicated to study of planetary defense, for which the main goal is to measure the changes caused after the secondary body is hit by a kinect impactor. The present work intends to conduct a study, through numerical integrations, on the dynamics of massless particles distributed in the vicinity of the two bodies. An approximate shape for the primary body was considered as a model of mass concentrations (mascons) and the secondary was considered as a massive point. Our results show the location and size of stable regions, and also their lifetime.