Reproducible benchmark models of asteroid/comet objects for radar modeling and imaging

Abstract

After reviewing the existing Planetary Science literature for suitable asteroids of various size, shape, and composition, asteroids 25143 Itokawa, 433 Eros, and 511 Davida were selected, along with comet 67P/Churyumov – Gerasimenko to be numerically modeled using MATLAB for EM wave propagation. Essential elements were captured (formation, composition, differentiation, etc.), based on their current evolutionary models, covering different scenarios of rubble pile structure, cometary contact binary, and partial differentiation. Geometric information for these bodies was found and used from online databases (DAMIT, NASA) with the objective of generating reproducible numerical models of the internal structure of the selected bodies. The results are presented and discussed, while more internal structure scenarios are proposed for future modeling.