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

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.