Dynamical Characteristics of Active Asteroid 311P/PANSTARRS

Abstract

311P/PANSTARRS is an active asteroid with characteristics of both asteroids and comets, and it is one of the targets of China's Tianwen-2 mission. Because of its small size of about 400 m, the Yarkovsky effect may have a significant influence on its long-term dynamics. This paper discussed the changes in the long-term motion of 311P/PANSTARRS caused by the Yarkovsky effect. By assuming different surface compositions, this simulation introduced the semi-major axis drift by propagating orbits of orbital clones. It also discusses non-gravitational effects such as close encounters, non-destructive impacts, and the YORP (Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack) effect. The study calculates the probabilities of close encounters and impacts with major planets and estimates the timescale for 311P/PANSTARRS to reach its rotational period splitting limit. The results of the simulations show that the Yarkovsky effect may cause 311P/PANSTARRS to exit from the resonance region faster when compared to a purely gravitational model. 311P/PANSTARRS will leave the current resonance region after roughly 10 Myr, and have a chance to become a Mars-crossing asteroid through ν6 secular resonance due to the diurnal Yarkovsky effect if its surface is covered by a regolith layer. It is concluded that 311P/PANSTARRS is stable at least 10 Myr time scale even if taking the Yarkovsky effect and the YORP effect into account. Furthermore, the YORP effect may not significantly affect the semi-major axis drift of 311P/PANSTARRS.