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Author(s)

Thompson, Christopher T.; Cummings, Bryce; Henke, Steven

Advisor(s)

Thomas, Paul J.

Date

May 01, 2007

Subject(s)

Kuiper Belt; Pluto (Dwarf planet); Posters; Computer simulation

Series

USGZE AS589

Abstract

The solar system's Kuiper belt is likely to contain many objects similar in size to Pluto. Pluto's composition, based on its mean density (2030 kg/m3), is 60% rock and 40% ice. This composition is notably more rich in rock than typical outer solar system satellites, which have rock fractions of 40%. This work investigates the possibility that devolatilization (the removal of ice) of typical Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) may occur as a byproduct of large impacts. Our target KBO is represented as an object with a 40% rock mass fraction. The impactor is a cometary object composed entirely of ice. We model the collision of the target with a series of impactors, varying the impactor's size and angle. These impacts are simulated using a three-dimensional smoothed-particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code. For each impact, we analyze the fraction of ice thrown off from the target. The impact speed is the escape speed of the target object (-1.5 km/s). Our simulations will constrain the cricital impactor size and impact angle ranges required to increase the final rock mass fraction of the target to the 60% value observed for Pluto.

Description

Color poster with text describing research conducted by Christopher T. Thompson, Bryce Cummings, and Steve Henke, advised by Dr. Paul Thomas. Research was conducted as a computer simulation.

Sponsor(s)

University of Wisconsin--Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Permanent link

http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/22907 

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Part of

• Student Research Day
  Posters of collaborative student/faculty research presented at Student Research Day

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