Time for this month’s Astronomy and Astrophysics (April, vol. 696):
Jo, H. Ishiguro, M. Richardson, D. C. et al. The surface dynamics and geophysical environment of asteroid (3200) Phaethon A34 202453408
Moreno, F. Jehin, E. Dust shells and dark linear structures on dust tails of historical and recent long-period comets A43 202553986
Tang, Y-J. Ying, C-C. Xia, C-Z. et al. Asteroid shape inversion with light curves using deep learning A55 202452058
Ashimbekova, A. Vaubaillon, J. Koten, P. Towards a definition of a meteor cluster – Detection of meteor clusters from meteor orbit databases A69 202452445
Ďurech, J. Ortiz, J. L. Ferrais, M. et al. Shape and spin-state model of tumbling asteroid (319) Leona A76 202554005
Chen, H. Willner, K. Ziese, R. et al. Modeling the global shape and surface morphology of the Ryugu asteroid using an improved neural implicit method A212 202452844
Čapek, D. Petřík, M. Pachman, J. et al. 3D shape models for describing monolithic asteroids and meteoroids A40 202452886
Batalla-Falcon, G. A. Cieza, L. A. Lavin, R. et al. Mid-infrared absorption spectra and mass absorption coefficients for 23 chondrites – Dependence on composition and grai… A66 202452540
Jo et al., Tang et al., Ďurech et al., and Čapek et al. ponder asteroid shapes, and their implications- how do we derive higher-order data from a point of light, and what does that tell us of the physics about that (non-)point. So do Chen et al., but with more than a point: with Hayabusa2 imagery.
Moreno et al., in a similar vein to Jo et al., consider an active, traditional comet (as opposed to a rock comet). How does the dynamic, evolving activity of a comet affect what coma and tail we see?
Ashimbekova et al. then take this to a logical extreme. When comet dust forms a trail in space, some of it may intersect with our Earth. The tail particles then enter collectively as a meteor shower. Or do they? How many meteors does it take to make a “shower”, versus sporadics (the general meteor background)?
And of course, some space objects are larger than dust or gravel. Macroscopic objects are widely assumed to be shed by asteroids. But how to link parent and child? We use telescopic sensing for the former, but in situ science for the latter. Batalla-Falcon et al. attempt spectroscopy on meteorites, for the purposes of this link.
…there’s also a paper on (134340) Pluto. Yes, the small Solar System body numbered (134340) Pluto. Legally and officially numbered among the asteroids as (134340) Pluto.