Coupled shape and spin evolution of small near spherical asteroids due to global regolith motion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a continuum-based model to study how regolith movement affects the shape and spin of nearly spherical asteroids, highlighting the coupling between surface processes and rotational dynamics.

Contribution

It extends terrestrial landslide models to spherical asteroids, coupling regolith motion with spin evolution through angular momentum conservation.

Findings

Model predicts transition from spherical to top-shaped asteroid.

Regolith motion influences spin rate and surface morphology.

Framework applicable to near spherical asteroid evolution.

Abstract

Recent space missions have provided substantial evidence of regolith movement on the surfaces of near Earth asteroids. To investigate this phenomenon, we present a continuum-based model that describes regolith motion on nearly spherical asteroids. The theoretical framework employs a depth averaged approach, traditionally used for simulating terrestrial landslides, and is extended to include additional terms that account for spherical geometry, shallow topography and the asteroids rotation. The governing equations couple the resurfacing process with the asteroids spin evolution through angular momentum conservation. The axisymmetric form of these equations is then employed to study the transition of an initially spherical asteroid into a top-shaped.