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Detailed Reference Information |
Namiki, N. and Binzel, R.P. (1991). 951 gaspra: A pre-Galileo estimate of its surface evolution. Geophysical Research Letters 18: doi: 10.1029/91GL01330. issn: 0094-8276. |
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We attempt to quantitatively model the collisional environment and surface evolution of asteroid 951 Gaspra prior to the flyby of the Galileo spacecraft later this year. We compute Gaspra's average intrinsic collisional probability to be 5.4¿10-8 km-2 yr-1 with a root mean square impact velocity of 5.0 km sec-1. The projectile population and impact strength for Gaspra are highly uncertain and we consider a range of values. Based on these models, Gaspra is unlikely to be a primordial object surviving from the beginning of the solar system. It is most likely a second or multiple generation fragment forming ~108 yr ago. For a low impact flux, the crater size distribution directly reveals the size distribution of the impacting population. For a non-equilibrium surface, we present model-dependent isochrons for estimating the age of the surface. Our model sets lower limits for Gaspra's age (~109 yr) and flux for the case of a high impact flux producing an equilibrium surface. ¿American Geophysical Union 1991 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Surfaces and interiors, Planetology, Comets and Small Bodies, Plasma and MHD instabilities |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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