Hektor - an exceptional D-type family among Jovian Trojans

J. Rozehnal, M. Brož, D. Nesvorný, D. D. Durda, K. Walsh, D. C. Richardson, E. Asphaug

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this work, we analyse Jovian Trojans in the space of suitable resonant elements and we identify clusters of possible collisional origin by two independent methods: the hierarchical clustering and a so-called randombox. Compared to our previous work, we study a twice larger sample. Apart from Eurybates, Ennomos and 1996 RJ families, we have found three more clusters - namely families around asteroids (20961) Arkesilaos, (624) Hektor in the L4 libration zone and (247341) 2001UV209 in L5. The families fulfill our stringent criteria, i.e. a high statistical significance, an albedo homogeneity and a steeper size-frequency distribution than that of background. In order to understand their nature, we simulate their long term collisional evolution with the Boulder code and dynamical evolution using a modified SWIFT integrator. Within the framework of our evolutionary model, we were able to constrain the age of the Hektor family to be either 1-4 Gyr or, less likely, 0.1-2.5 Gyr, depending on initial impact geometry. Since (624) Hektor itself seems to be a bilobed-shape body with a satellite, i.e. an exceptional object, we address its association with the D-type family and we demonstrate that the moon and family could be created during a single impact event. We simulated the cratering event using a smoothed particle hydrodynamics. This is also the first case of a family associated with a D-type parent body.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2319-2332
Number of pages14
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume462
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Celestial mechanics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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