Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EROS (ExploRing the surface slopes Of aSteroids)
Reporting period: 2020-01-01 to 2021-12-31
In this project, we investigated how the surface slopes of asteroids could tell us about the interior structure of asteroids. Understanding the interior structure of asteroids is important for future resource utilization, understanding the history of our solar system, and hazardous asteroid deflection. The objectives of this study were to understand and quantify the relationship of surface slope and the interior structure of asteroids. In addition, during the project, I explored career development opportunities.
We explored various slope metrics using different asteroids shape models to try and develop a slope metric that could capture the differences in known asteroid interior structure. To further explore this possibility we explored the relationship of asteroid spin period, shape, and surface slope. This resulted in an oral presentation at the 2021 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference where I also co-chaired the session. The resulting paper is currently under review in the journal Icarus. In addition, we measured the changes in the location of the low slope region on the asteroid Itokawa under different spin periods and found that with small spin periods the location of Itokawa's lowlands would shift. This study was published in Icarus in 2021.
Following the exploration of surface slopes, spin period, density, I worked with a 4th-year undergraduate student, Nicky Allen, in understanding how seismic shaking could modify surface slopes on different asteroid types. This involved weekly meetings with Nicky and resulted in her getting top marks on the project and her presenting a poster at the 2021 European Planetary Science Conference. Our work found that asteroids with thicker active layers have surfaces that relax quicker (change slopes) under seismic shaking than asteroids with thinner active layers. This work confirmed our hypothesis that surface slopes were sensitive to asteroid internal structure. We are currently writing a paper and plan to publish these results.
As part of my career development, I continued working with collaborators in Europe, America, and Canada and published an additional paper on measurements of the depth/diameter of craters on Mercury that contain water ice. I presented this work in an oral presentation at the 2020 European Planetary Science Conference and published this work in the Planetary Science Journal. This work allowed me to continue to strengthen my international collaborations.
Outreach activities associated with this project include participation in FUTURES 'Im a scientist' and working with students at a local primary school to understand the age of the solar system as part of local COP26 activities.
Following the exploration of surface slopes, spin period, density, I worked with a 4th-year undergraduate student, Nicky Allen, in understanding how seismic shaking could modify surface slopes on different asteroid types. This involved weekly meetings with Nicky and resulted in her getting top marks on the project and her presenting a poster at the 2021 European Planetary Science Conference. Our work found that asteroids with thicker active layers have surfaces that relax quicker (change slopes) under seismic shaking than asteroids with thinner active layers. This work confirmed our hypothesis that surface slopes were sensitive to asteroid internal structure. We are currently writing a paper and plan to publish these results.
As part of my career development, I continued working with collaborators in Europe, America, and Canada and published an additional paper on measurements of the depth/diameter of craters on Mercury that contain water ice. I presented this work in an oral presentation at the 2020 European Planetary Science Conference and published this work in the Planetary Science Journal. This work allowed me to continue to strengthen my international collaborations.
Outreach activities associated with this project include participation in FUTURES 'Im a scientist' and working with students at a local primary school to understand the age of the solar system as part of local COP26 activities.
The work here furthered our understanding of the relationship of asteroid surfaces with their interiors and is of interest for several upcoming planetary missions (e.g. ESA's HERA mission) and has resulted in me becoming involved in NASA planetary mission proposals.
The results of this project were featured in two new articles. One in the horizon magazine called 'How scientists are 'looking' inside asteroids' (https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/how-scientists-are-looking-inside-asteroids(opens in new window)) and another in the Sky and Night magazine called 'Why do asteroids have such unusual shapes' (https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-science/asteroid-shapes/(opens in new window)).
In addition, during this project, my contribution to the understanding of asteroids was recognized with the naming of asteroid 31399 Susorney recognizing the work of this project (https://www.wgsbn-iau.org/files/Bulletins/V001/WGSBNBull_V001_002.pdf(opens in new window)).
The results of this project were featured in two new articles. One in the horizon magazine called 'How scientists are 'looking' inside asteroids' (https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/how-scientists-are-looking-inside-asteroids(opens in new window)) and another in the Sky and Night magazine called 'Why do asteroids have such unusual shapes' (https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-science/asteroid-shapes/(opens in new window)).
In addition, during this project, my contribution to the understanding of asteroids was recognized with the naming of asteroid 31399 Susorney recognizing the work of this project (https://www.wgsbn-iau.org/files/Bulletins/V001/WGSBNBull_V001_002.pdf(opens in new window)).