Help with designing a modeling experiment

[higginsdj]

I want to model the results of collisions between minor planets over timescales of My and By. (I am NOT a scientist, just an observer).

Background
Years ago, the theorists did modeling of the solar system to see the impact that collisions had on the evolution of asteroids. The results were that collisions statistically accounted for a spin rate dispersion of 3h to 48h. So, anything spinning faster than 3h or slower than 48h had to have something else acting on the object. YORP came to the rescue of those spinning faster than 3h and for small objects slower than 48h including tumblers but it is a stretch for this paradigm to account for ultra slow spinners, particularly if they are larger than ~12km in diameter.

Problem
We have uncovered a few ultraslow spinners. I have just finished working 3 objects, one spinning with a period of 56h, another at 662h and another at 1332h. And these are NOT small objects (60km + in diameter). Applying Rubincams approximation, YORP 'could' despin these asteroids to such slow rates over the life of the solar system but I want to retest the collision model and see where the statistical outliers are. (The theorists put the initial spin state of asteroids at between 8h and 10h)

How
I have mathematica so have a tool to do the modeling but need some guidance. I could get it from my Professional "mentors" but frankly I do annoy them with my 'silly' questions and 'lack' of understanding (I often misinterpret what they tell me - DH on this forum can attest to my poor use of correct terminology :) - I think I am kept on simply because I provide them with good data)
Now what I was thinking I would do is set up a statistically significant number of asteroids with orbits that statistically match they Main Belt (and those that cross the main belt) at a scale that takes into account the size of the population (ie to mimic the correct density) then let the model run and at various points extract spin data from every object.

I was not planning on introducing gravitational effects from the major planets or even the gravitational interaction from other asteroids. Is this a bad thing? Note that I do not want to see 'exactly' what will happen but just see the effects of collisions over time on the Spin rates of asteroids. In the end this project may be well beyond me - but I have to start somewhere :)

Cheers

David

 

[lippyka]

Yes, it is important to consider gravitational effects from the major planets and other asteroids when modeling the results of collisions between minor planets. Without taking these into account you will not be able to accurately model how the collisions would affect the spin rates of the asteroids. In addition, you should also consider the effects of tidal forces on the asteroids, as these can have a significant impact on the spin rate. Lastly, you should also consider the effects of other non-gravitational forces, such as radiation pressure, that could also have an effect on the spin rate of the asteroids.