| Title: | Implications of cohesion for binary asteroid formation |
| Author: | Derek C. Richardson |
We have added simple models of cohesive forces to our gravitational aggregate simulations to determine whether a small amount of strength leads to qualitatively different rotational disruption outcomes. Preliminary results indicate that cohesion permits a fast-rotating aggregate to reshape before losing mass, so that when it does, larger portions are liberated, enhancing binary formation. Much work remains to validate and improve these models, and to explore the vastly larger parameter space that has now been opened.