Double material segment as the model of irregular bodies

Authors:

• Przemysław Paweł Bartczak,
• Sławomir Breiter

Abstract

We propose a new, simple model to describe the gravity field of irregular, nonspherical celestial bodies, like small moons or minor asteroids. The simple idea of Duboshin to use a material straight segment for such bodies is extended by combining two perpendicular segments of different lengths and masses. In typical situations, when the longest axis of the body coincides with one segment, the remaining segment must have an imaginary length. The potential remains a real function even if one segment is imaginary. The new model is confronted with the exact form of an ellipsoid's potential and with two alternative simple models for a two-axial and a three-axial ellipsoid.