Context. Determining whether asteroids in cometary orbits (ACOs) are dormant or extinct comets is relevant for understanding the end-states of comets and the sizes of the comet population. Aims. We ...intend to study the value distributions of effective diameter (D), beaming parameter (η), and visible geometric albedo (pV) of ACO populations, which can be derived from NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Explorer (WISE) observations, and we aim to compare these with the same, independently determined properties of the comets. Methods. The near-Earth asteroid thermal model (NEATM) is used with WISE data and the absolute magnitude (H) of the ACOs to compute the D, pV and η. Results. We obtained D and pV for 49 ACOs in Jupiter family cometary orbits (JF-ACOs) and 16 ACOs in Halley-type cometary orbits (Damocloids). We also obtained the infrared beaming parameter η for 45 of them. All but three JF-ACOs (95% of the sample) present a low albedo compatible with a cometary origin. The pV and η distributions of both ACO populations are very similar. For the entire sample of ACOs, the mean geometric albedo is p̅V = 0.05±0.02, (p̅V = 0.05±0.01 and p̅V = 0.05±0.02 for JF-ACOs and for Damocloids, respectively) compatible with a narrow albedo distribution similar to that of the Jupiter family comets (JFCs), with a p̅V ~ 0.04. The mean beaming parameter is η̅ = 1.0±0.2. We find no correlations between D, pV, or η. We also compare the cumulative size distribution (CSD) of ACOs, Centaurs, and JFCs. Although the Centaur sample contains larger objects, the linear parts in their log-log plot of the CSDs presents a similar cumulative exponent (β = 1.85 ± 0.30 and 1.76 ± 0.35, respectively). The CSD for Damocloids presents a much shallower exponent β = 0.89 ± 0.17. Conclusions. The pV- and η-value distributions of ACOs are very similar to those of JF comet (JFCs) nuclei. The ACOs in Tancredi’s list are the best possible candidates to be dormant/inactive comets. The CSD for JF-ACOs is shallower and shifted towards larger diameters with respect to the CSD of active JFCs, which suggests that the mantling process has a size dependency whereby large comets tend to reach an inactive stage faster than small comets. Finally, the population of JF-ACOs is comparable in number with the population of JFCs, although there are more tens-km JF-ACOs than JFCs.
Granular materials of different sizes are present on the surface of several atmosphereless Solar system bodies. The phenomena related to granular materials have been studied in the framework of the ...discipline called granular physics, both experimentally and, over the last few decades, by numerical simulations. The discrete element method simulates the mechanical behaviour of a medium formed by a set of particles which interact through their contact points.
The difficulty in reproducing vacuum and low-gravity environments makes numerical simulations the most promising technique in the study of granular media under these conditions.
In this work, relevant processes in minor bodies of the Solar system are studied using the discrete element method. Results of simulations of size segregation in low-gravity environments in the cases of the asteroids Eros and Itokawa are presented. The segregation of particles with different densities was analysed, in particular, the case of comet P/Hartley 2. The surface shaking in these different gravity environments could produce the ejection of particles from the surface at very low relative velocities. The shaking causing the above processes is due to impacts and explosions such as the release of energy by the liberation of internal stresses or the re-accommodation of material. Simulations of the passage of impact-induced seismic waves through a granular medium were also performed.
We present several applications of the discrete element methods for the study of the physical evolution of agglomerates of rocks under low-gravity environments.
Context . Jupiter-family comets (JFCs), which originate from the Kuiper belt and scattered disk, exhibit low-inclination and chaotic trajectories due to close encounters with Jupiter. Despite their ...typically short incursions into the inner solar system, a notable number of them are on Earth-crossing orbits, with fireball networks detecting many objects on “JFC-like” (2 < T J < 3) orbits. Aims . This investigation aims to examine the orbital dynamics of JFCs and comet-like fireballs over 10 4 yr timescales, focusing on the trajectories and stability of these objects in the context of gravitational interactions within the solar system. Methods . We employed an extensive fireball dataset from Desert Fireball Network (DFN), European Fireball Network (EFN), Fireball Recovery and InterPlanetary Observation Network (FRIPON), and Meteorite Observation and Recovery Project (MORP), alongside telescopically observed cometary ephemeris from the NASA HORIZONS database. The study integrates 646 fireball orbits with 661 JFC orbits for a comparative analysis of their orbital stability and evolution. Results . The analysis confirms frequent Jupiter encounters among most JFCs, inducing chaotic orbital behavior with limited predictability and short Lyapunov lifetimes (~120 yr), underscoring Jupiter’s significant dynamical influence. In contrast, “JFC-like” meteoroids detected by fireball networks largely exhibit dynamics divergent from genuine JFCs, with 79–92% on “JFC-like” orbits shown not to be prone to frequent Jupiter encounters; in particular, only 1–5% of all fireballs detected by the four networks exhibit dynamics similar to that of actual JFCs. In addition, 22% (16 of 72) of near-Earth JFCs are on highly stable orbits, suggesting a potential main belt origin for some of the bodies. Conclusions . This extensive study delineates the stark dynamical contrast between JFCs and JFC-like meteoroids detected by global fireball networks. The majority of centimeter- and meter-scale meteoroids on JFC-like orbits exhibit remarkably stable trajectories, which starkly differ from the chaotic paths of their km-scale counterparts. Our findings suggest that the JFC-like objects observed by fireball networks predominantly originate from the outer main belt, with only a minor fraction being directly attributable to traditional JFCs.
We explore the joint activated dynamics exhibited by two quantum degrees of freedom: a cavity mode oscillator which is strongly coupled to a superconducting qubit in the strongly coherently driven ...dispersive regime. Dynamical simulations and complementary measurements show a range of parameters where both the cavity and the qubit exhibit sudden simultaneous switching between two metastable states. This manifests in ensemble averaged amplitudes of both the cavity and qubit exhibiting a partial coherent cancellation. Transmission measurements of driven microwave cavities coupled to transmon qubits show detailed features which agree with the theory in the regime of simultaneous switching.
Abstract Asteroids smaller than 10 km are thought to be rubble piles formed from the reaccumulation of fragments produced in the catastrophic disruption of parent bodies. Ground-based observations ...reveal that some of these asteroids are today binary systems, in which a smaller secondary orbits a larger primary asteroid. However, how these asteroids became binary systems remains unclear. Here, we report the analysis of boulders on the surface of the stony asteroid (65803) Didymos and its moonlet, Dimorphos, from data collected by the NASA DART mission. The size-frequency distribution of boulders larger than 5 m on Dimorphos and larger than 22.8 m on Didymos confirms that both asteroids are piles of fragments produced in the catastrophic disruption of their progenitors. Dimorphos boulders smaller than 5 m have size best-fit by a Weibull distribution, which we attribute to a multi-phase fragmentation process either occurring during coalescence or during surface evolution. The density per km 2 of Dimorphos boulders ≥1 m is 2.3x with respect to the one obtained for (101955) Bennu, while it is 3.0x with respect to (162173) Ryugu. Such values increase once Dimorphos boulders ≥5 m are compared with Bennu (3.5x), Ryugu (3.9x) and (25143) Itokawa (5.1x). This is of interest in the context of asteroid studies because it means that contrarily to the single bodies visited so far, binary systems might be affected by subsequential fragmentation processes that largely increase their block density per km 2 . Direct comparison between the surface distribution and shapes of the boulders on Didymos and Dimorphos suggest that the latter inherited its material from the former. This finding supports the hypothesis that some asteroid binary systems form through the spin up and mass shedding of a fraction of the primary asteroid.
Pluto and Eris are icy dwarf planets with nearly identical sizes, comparable densities and similar surface compositions as revealed by spectroscopic studies. Pluto possesses an atmosphere whereas ...Eris does not; the difference probably arises from their differing distances from the Sun, and explains their different albedos. Makemake is another icy dwarf planet with a spectrum similar to Eris and Pluto, and is currently at a distance to the Sun intermediate between the two. Although Makemake's size (1,420 ± 60 km) and albedo are roughly known, there has been no constraint on its density and there were expectations that it could have a Pluto-like atmosphere. Here we report the results from a stellar occultation by Makemake on 2011 April 23. Our preferred solution that fits the occultation chords corresponds to a body with projected axes of 1,430 ± 9 km (1σ) and 1,502 ± 45 km, implying a V-band geometric albedo p(V) = 0.77 ± 0.03. This albedo is larger than that of Pluto, but smaller than that of Eris. The disappearances and reappearances of the star were abrupt, showing that Makemake has no global Pluto-like atmosphere at an upper limit of 4-12 nanobar (1σ) for the surface pressure, although a localized atmosphere is possible. A density of 1.7 ± 0.3 g cm(-3) is inferred from the data.
We introduce a new and quantitative theoretical framework for noise spectral analysis using a threshold detector, which is then applied to a superconducting device: the Josephson bifurcation ...amplifier. We show that this new framework provides direct access to the environmental noise spectrum with a sensitivity approaching the standard quantum limit of weak continuous measurements. In addition, the accessible frequency range of the spectrum is, in principle, limited only by the ring down time of the resonant mode. This on-chip noise detector is non-dissipative and works with low probing powers, allowing it to be operated at low temperatures ( mK). We exploit this technique for measuring the frequency fluctuations of our device and find a low frequency noise with an amplitude and spectrum compatible with a dielectric origin.
We estimate the influence of the geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) on the Uruguayan electrical distribution grid. The GIC are related to time variations in the geomagnetic field caused by the ...interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's magnetosphere. These currents may cause several problems in power grids, pipelines, among others. South America is close to the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAA). Particle precipitation in the anomaly region could lead to pulsations in the horizontal component of the geomagnetic field, that may contribute to the GIC production. Scarce research has been done to assess the space weather impact on this area.
Due to the lack of magnetic field data at the Uruguayan territory, spherical elementary currents system (SECS) was used to interpolate field values with data available from three magnetic observatories located at Vassouras, Trelew and São Martinho da Serra. The simple topology of the Uruguayan power grid provides some advantages in the calculation of GIC. To calculate these currents, a plane wave method combined with a ground conductivity model was used. Estimated GIC suggest peak currents ca. 15 A, at the earthing points of some substations in a 770 km power line during the Halloween Magnetic Storm on 2003 October 29.
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