Collisional and Dynamical Processes in the Solar System

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Collisional and Dynamical Processes in the
Solar System

• David P. O'Brien
• PSI Tucson
• PSI Retreat, August 2007

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Yarkovsky and Small Craters

• Eros (and probably Itokawa) are depleted in
  craters smaller than 200 m diameter
• Yarkovsky effect is strong for asteroids smaller
  than 10 m diameter
• Can the Yarkovsky effect remove enough small
  impactors from the asteroid belt to explain
  Eros' cratering record?

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Yarkovsky and Small Craters

• Can the Yarkovsky effect remove enough small
  impactors from the asteroid belt to explain
  Eros' cratering record?
• Highly Unlikely!