3 papers
astro-ph.EP2023
An efficient numerical approach to modeling the effects of particle shape on rubble-pile dynamics
Julian C. Marohnic, Joseph V. DeMartini, Derek C. Richardson +2
We present an approach for the inclusion of non-spherical constituents in high-resolution N-body discrete element method (DEM) simulations. We use aggregates composed of bonded sph…
astro-ph.EP2020
Constraining the final merger of contact binary(486958) Arrokoth with soft-sphere discrete element simulations
J. C. Marohnic, D. C. Richardson, W. B. McKinnon +8
The New Horizons mission has returned stunning images of the bilobate Kuiper belt object (486958) Arrokoth. It is a contact binary, formed from two intact and relatively undisturbe…
astro-ph.EP2020
The solar nebula origin of (486958) Arrokoth, a primordial contact binary in the Kuiper belt
W. B. McKinnon, D. C. Richardson, J. C. Marohnic +26
The New Horizons spacecraft's encounter with the cold classical Kuiper belt object (486958) Arrokoth (formerly 2014 MU69) revealed a contact-binary planetesimal. We investigate how…