Fig. 2: Simulation outcomes of satellite merging collisions.
From: Multiple moonlet mergers as the origin of the Dinkinesh-Selam system
The outcomes of collisions between bodies with initial mass ratios of (a) m1/m2 = 0.5 and (b) m1/m2 = 1 are examined, covering a range of impact angles ϕ and velocities v/vesc. The moonlets are initially spherical, porous rubble-pile aggregates, with an initial bulk density of ρ = 2400 kg/m3. The yellow regions correspond to highly deformed/ejected material (total integrated strain > 1). The mergers were simulated for up to 24 h, at a radial position of 4.5 Rprimary. Following the collision, the merged moonlets with ϕ > 0∘ enter in a tumbling state. The merger outcomes that best match the shapes of Selam A and B are shown in orange. Outcomes with oblate shapes resembling Dimorphos (identified based on similarity in triaxial axis ratios, a/b and b/c), are shown in blue and further evaluated in Fig. 5.
