Collision-induced thermal evolution of a comet nucleus in the Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt Original Research Article

In this work, we attempt an order-of-magnitude estimate of the effects of heating caused by low-velocity collisions on the structure and composition of an Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt object. This was done by using a numerical code developed for the study of comet nuclei. This code solves the heat conduction and gas diffusion equations in one dimension, within a spherically simmetric porous body made of a mixture of ices and dust. Ices can sublimate, gas can flow within the porous matrix, and dust can be ejected by the gas flow escaping from the object. The code was adapted to the EKO case by adding the heat released by an impact in the interior of the body. Within the uncertainties in the values of parameters describing the EKO structure and the heat release due to impacts, it was found that the outcome of even a large collision cannot be taken for granted: in some cases, the impacted body is altered to depths of more than 1 km, while in some other cases very small effects are produced. The results also point to the interesting possibility of heat buildup within an EKO due to multiple impacts.