Collisional Models and Scaling Laws: A New Interpretation of the Shape of the Main-Belt Asteroid Size Distribution

Daniel D. Durda, Richard Greenberg, Robert Jedicke

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

157 Scopus citations

Abstract

Numerical models of the collisional evolution of the main-belt asteroids lead to a new interpretation of the shape of the observed size distribution. Using recent hydrocode predictions of shattering and disruption criteria as starting points, we adjust the size-strength scaling relation for asteroidal strengths within our collisional model until a best least-squares fit to the observed size distribution is obtained. We show for the first time general agreement between the predictions of hydrocodes, results of numerical collisional models, and the observed size distribution of the main-belt population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)431-440
Number of pages10
JournalIcarus
Volume135
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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