Project Info

*Simulating radar scatter from asteroid surfaces

Dylan Hickson
dhickson@mines.edu
Asteroids reveal the conditions and evolution of the early solar system, could enable deep space exploration, and pose as significant global threats as potential Earth impactors. Increasing our understanding of these bodies is thus critical to advance planetary science and planetary defense. Radar observations have revealed the sizes, shapes, orbits, and basic physical properties of hundreds of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs). Geologic interpretations of these radar observations are hampered by poor constraints on their near-surface physical properties. NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission to NEA Bennu has obtained cm-scale resolution images of the surface as well as spectroscopic data and laser altimetry. With these data, we aim to create realistic simulations of radar scatter from the surface of Bennu, which will then be compared with radar observations by the Goldstone Solar System Radar and Arecibo Observatory. Through this comparison we will link the observed radar scatter to simulated physical properties and derive empirical radar scattering models that can be applied to interpret radar observations of other NEAs. This MURF project will contribute to this overall effort to uncover the mysterious surfaces of asteroids, with specific project goals identified by the student's interests.

More Information:

Grand Challenge: Not applicable
Websites with information on Asteroid Radar Astronomy: https://echo.jpl.nasa.gov/ | http://www.naic.edu/~pradar/ | Publications relevant to the project (most can be downloaded from https://echo.jpl.nasa.gov/publications/pubs.html): -Introduction to planetary radar: Ostro, S. J. Planetary radar astronomy. Reviews of Modern Physics 65, 1235-1279 (1993). | Benner, L. A. M., M. W. Busch, J. D. Giorgini, P. A. Taylor, and J. L. Margot. Radar observations of near-Earth and main-belt asteroids. In Asteroids IV (P. Michel, F. E. DeMeo, and W. F. Bottke, Eds.), Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 165-182 (2015). | -Radar observations of Bennu: Nolan, M. C., C. Magri, E. S. Howell, L. A. M. Benner, J. D. Giorgini, C. W. Hergenrother, R. S. Hudson, D. S. Lauretta, J. L. Margot, S. J. Ostro, and D. J. Scheeres. Shape model and surface properties of the OSIRIS-REx target asteroid (101955) 1999 RQ36 from radar and lightcurve observations. Icarus 226, 629-640 (2013). | -Radar scattering simulations: Virkki, A., and K. Muinonen. Radar scattering by planetary surfaces modeled with laboratory-characterized particles. Icarus 269, 38-49 (2016). | Fa, W., Wieczorek, M.A., and Heggy, E. Modeling polarimetric radar scattering from the lunar surface: Study on the effect of physical properties of the regolith layer. Journal of Geophysical Research 116, E03005, 1-33 (2011).

Primary Contacts:

Principal Investigator and Project Lead: Dylan Hickson, Research Associate, Department of Geophysics, dhickson@mines.edu.

Student Preparation

Qualifications

This project is fairly versatile in its components, with tasks ranging from 3D modeling and programming to geologic interpretation and electromagnetic modeling. In this sense, there is flexibility in what is expected of the student. At project start, students are expected to have some basic familiarity with electromagnetism, mineralogy, programming, and/or 3D modeling. Most importantly, the student selected for this project must have a keen interest in pursuing research and an open mind.

TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)

4-5

SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED

The student will gain independent research, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. The student will learn about numerical simulation and radar remote sensing techniques.

MENTORING PLAN

Bi-weekly meetings between myself and the student will be used to define the MURF project goals, for discussion of topics relevant to the project, and to monitor project progress. The student will also attend virtual meetings with the broader team actively working on this project.

PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS

Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
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