Diverse configurations of binary asteroids explained by multi-generation satellites

Diverse configurations of binary asteroids explained by multi-generation satellites | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Diverse configurations of binary asteroids explained by multi-generation satellites Junfeng Li, Wen-Yue Dai, Bin Cheng, Yukun Huang, Yifei Jiao, Wen-Han Zhou, and 7 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6508279/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Binary asteroid systems are ubiquitous in the observed asteroid population. Many small binary asteroid systems are thought to originate from the rotational breakup, where the spin-up of a primary asteroid triggers mass shedding, creating a transient debris disk that finally re-accumulates to form satellite(s). In this scenario, a prolate satellite in a compact orbit is expected from theoretical predictions. However, recent space missions have revealed a remarkable diversity of binary configurations. One striking anomaly is the (152830) Dinkinesh system, which hosts a contact-binary satellite named Selam in a wide orbit. Here, we propose a unified framework for reconstructing the formation pathways of binary systems. We find that if multiple episodes of mass shedding and multi-generations of satellites are considered, the pre-existing satellite can strongly influence the subsequent satellite formation. Taking into account the orbital migration of the pre-existing satellite, this leads the system evolution after a subsequent mass shedding to different pathways, where the observed diversity in binary asteroid configurations can be naturally produced. We suggest that the dynamical histories of the Dinkinesh system and some triple systems involve multiple mass shedding and inter-satellite interaction. We also find that $\sim 44%$ of the known binaries have configurations indicative of multi-satellite histories, suggesting a greater diversity of binary asteroid configurations to be revealed in the future. Physical sciences/Astronomy and planetary science/Planetary science/Rings and moons Physical sciences/Astronomy and planetary science/Planetary science/Asteroids, comets and Kuiper belt Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files videos.zip Animated version of Figure 4a-d Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6508279","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":523824545,"identity":"46ca897d-4aff-4d64-a26c-5f0209276804","order_by":0,"name":"Junfeng 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Many small binary asteroid systems are thought to originate from the rotational breakup, where the spin-up of a primary asteroid triggers mass shedding, creating a transient debris disk that finally re-accumulates to form satellite(s). In this scenario, a prolate satellite in a compact orbit is expected from theoretical predictions. However, recent space missions have revealed a remarkable diversity of binary configurations. One striking anomaly is the (152830) Dinkinesh system, which hosts a contact-binary satellite named Selam in a wide orbit. Here, we propose a unified framework for reconstructing the formation pathways of binary systems. We find that if multiple episodes of mass shedding and multi-generations of satellites are considered, the pre-existing satellite can strongly influence the subsequent satellite formation. Taking into account the orbital migration of the pre-existing satellite, this leads the system evolution after a subsequent mass shedding to different pathways, where the observed diversity in binary asteroid configurations can be naturally produced. We suggest that the dynamical histories of the Dinkinesh system and some triple systems involve multiple mass shedding and inter-satellite interaction. 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