3D NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF ASTEROID DECELERATION IN THE VENUS ATMOSPHERE

Abstract

The results of calculations of deformation, fragmentation and deceleration of asteroids 1.5–5 km in size in the atmosphere of Venus are presented. The fraction of energy lost by asteroids during their passage through the atmosphere and the effective dimensions of an asteroid (or a cloud of its fragments) at the moment of impact on a solid surface are determined. It is shown that asteroids 1–2 km in size reach the surface of Venus in the form of a cloud of fragments with a diameter of 5–20 km, the kinetic energy of which is 10– 1000 times less than the initial energy of the asteroid. Such impacts do not appear to result in the formation of classical single craters or crater fields, but may be responsible for the formation of dark and bright spots (splotches) observed on the surface of Venus.