Binary Minor Planets
Derek Richardson (Univ. Maryland) - 19 Sep at 12:00 noon
In 1993 the first binary asteroid was discovered (tiny
Dactyl in orbit around Ida). As of mid-2005, 60 binary
minor planets have been discovered in the near-Earth, main
belt, and Jupiter Trojan asteroid populations, as well as in
the transneptunian region, thanks to a combination of
dedicated searches, new observing techniques, and improved
facilities. The diversity of the newly discovered binary
minor planets in our solar system poses interesting
challenges for theorists who seek to explain the origin of
these bodies. I will review the observations to date and
present various theories and computer simulations regarding
the formation and evolution of binary minor planets.
Studying the origin and evolution of these bodies gives
important insight into the formation of the solar system in
general. Studying their physical nature helps with the
development of strategies for mitigating the hazard of a
possible minor planet collision with Earth.
The seminar will be held in 544 Campbell Hall.
Return to seminar schedule