Equilibrium point evolution and the associated characteristic curves of an asteroid

Fu, Xiaoyu ORCID: 0000-0002-6405-5655 and Soldini, Stefania ORCID: 0000-0003-3121-3845 (2025) Equilibrium point evolution and the associated characteristic curves of an asteroid MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, 538 (4). pp. 2245-2254. ISSN 0035-8711, 1365-2966

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Abstract

This study investigates the evolution of equilibrium points (EPs) in the dynamical environment of a rotating asteroid, parametrized with respect to a single governing physical parameter. The polyhedral model is employed to accurately represent the asteroid's gravity field and the corresponding equations of motion are parametrized using a general variable associated with either the spin rate or bulk density of the asteroid. A theorem is established, demonstrating that the EP sets derived from these two parametrizations are identical under specific conditions, allowing them to be interpreted geometrically as the characteristic curves of an asteroid. To enable a systematic continuation of EP branches, the pseudo-arclength continuation method is utilized. The characteristic curves of asteroids with three representative shape types are presented, along with the demonstration of two corollaries derived from the proposed theorem, which are related to the equal set and subset of the characteristic curves with respect to different general variables. Additionally, a comprehensive stability analysis of EPs along the characteristic curves of two top-shaped asteroids is conducted. Key findings regarding EP classification, the composition of EP branches, and the variation of spin rate are summarized.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	methods: numerical, celestial mechanics, minor planets, asteroids: general, planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability
Divisions:	Faculty of Science & Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	28 Mar 2025 13:36
Last Modified:	16 Jun 2026 20:22
DOI:	10.1093/mnras/staf419
Open Access URL:	https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf419
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3191116
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