Mathilde: Size, Shape, and Geology

P. C. Thomas; J. Veverka; J. F. Bell; B. E. Clark; B. Carcich; J. Joseph; M. Robinson; L. A. McFadden; M. C. Malin; C. R. Chapman; W. Merline; S. Murchie

doi:10.1006/icar.1999.6121

Mathilde: Size, Shape, and Geology

P. C. Thomas, J. Veverka, J. F. Bell, B. E. Clark, B. Carcich, J. Joseph, M. Robinson, L. A. McFadden, M. C. Malin, C. R. Chapman, W. Merline, S. Murchie

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

73 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft images of C-type asteroid Mathilde show it to have a mean radius of 26.5 ± 1.3 km. The asteroid is geologically distinguished by its low mean density (1.3 ± 0.2 g cm^-3) and by at least four craters with diameters equal to or greater than Mathilde's mean radius. The large craters and their unremarkable appearance suggest formation without significant damage to the asteroid outside the final crater volume and indicates the ability of at least this type of asteroid to survive very large impacts without disruption. There are suggestions of structures such as faults or layers. Preservation of such structures would imply that objects that are poor transmitters of impact seismic energy can still maintain some mechanical fabric, and their surface exposure may imply inefficient retention of ejecta from large craters.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	17-27
Number of pages	11
Journal	Icarus
Volume	140
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1006/icar.1999.6121
State	Published - Jul 1999
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Asteroids
Cratering
Regolith

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Space and Planetary Science

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10.1006/icar.1999.6121

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title = "Mathilde: Size, Shape, and Geology",

abstract = "The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft images of C-type asteroid Mathilde show it to have a mean radius of 26.5 ± 1.3 km. The asteroid is geologically distinguished by its low mean density (1.3 ± 0.2 g cm-3) and by at least four craters with diameters equal to or greater than Mathilde's mean radius. The large craters and their unremarkable appearance suggest formation without significant damage to the asteroid outside the final crater volume and indicates the ability of at least this type of asteroid to survive very large impacts without disruption. There are suggestions of structures such as faults or layers. Preservation of such structures would imply that objects that are poor transmitters of impact seismic energy can still maintain some mechanical fabric, and their surface exposure may imply inefficient retention of ejecta from large craters.",

keywords = "Asteroids, Cratering, Regolith",

author = "Thomas, {P. C.} and J. Veverka and Bell, {J. F.} and Clark, {B. E.} and B. Carcich and J. Joseph and M. Robinson and McFadden, {L. A.} and Malin, {M. C.} and Chapman, {C. R.} and W. Merline and S. Murchie",

year = "1999",

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AU - Thomas, P. C.

AU - Veverka, J.

AU - Bell, J. F.

AU - Clark, B. E.

AU - Carcich, B.

AU - Joseph, J.

AU - Robinson, M.

AU - McFadden, L. A.

AU - Malin, M. C.

AU - Chapman, C. R.

AU - Merline, W.

AU - Murchie, S.

PY - 1999/7

Y1 - 1999/7

N2 - The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft images of C-type asteroid Mathilde show it to have a mean radius of 26.5 ± 1.3 km. The asteroid is geologically distinguished by its low mean density (1.3 ± 0.2 g cm-3) and by at least four craters with diameters equal to or greater than Mathilde's mean radius. The large craters and their unremarkable appearance suggest formation without significant damage to the asteroid outside the final crater volume and indicates the ability of at least this type of asteroid to survive very large impacts without disruption. There are suggestions of structures such as faults or layers. Preservation of such structures would imply that objects that are poor transmitters of impact seismic energy can still maintain some mechanical fabric, and their surface exposure may imply inefficient retention of ejecta from large craters.

AB - The Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) spacecraft images of C-type asteroid Mathilde show it to have a mean radius of 26.5 ± 1.3 km. The asteroid is geologically distinguished by its low mean density (1.3 ± 0.2 g cm-3) and by at least four craters with diameters equal to or greater than Mathilde's mean radius. The large craters and their unremarkable appearance suggest formation without significant damage to the asteroid outside the final crater volume and indicates the ability of at least this type of asteroid to survive very large impacts without disruption. There are suggestions of structures such as faults or layers. Preservation of such structures would imply that objects that are poor transmitters of impact seismic energy can still maintain some mechanical fabric, and their surface exposure may imply inefficient retention of ejecta from large craters.

KW - Asteroids

KW - Cratering

KW - Regolith

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JO - Icarus

JF - Icarus

IS - 1

ER -

Mathilde: Size, Shape, and Geology

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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