numerical Modeling
Overview
Numerical models help us investigate the physics, theory, and observations in a controlled way. We have designed, employed, or collaborated on models to address a variety of planetary themes including impact cratering, thermal modeling, and sediment flow.
Projects
Mars fan and delta formation
We investigated whether the Hypanis deposit on Mars could have formed subaerially as an alluvial fan, subaqueously as a river delta, or during a falling water level indicative of a receding northern ocean.
Tycho crater ejecta distribution
A 3D impact hydrocode (iSALE-3D) is used to simulate the Tycho crater impact event on the Moon. We propagate impact ejecta ballistically to investigate the distribution of melt and rock.
Asteroid thermal spin-up
The orbital distance and spin rate of an airless body can be changed merely by asymmetric heating (Yarkovsky and YORP effects). We calculate these effects on a shape model of asteroid Itokawa using a 3D ray-tracing thermal code.
Mud flows in extreme environments
Sediment flows on other planets can behave differently than on Earth due to extreme temperatures and atmospheric pressures. We run simulations in COMSOL multiphysics to explore how sediment and environment parameters can affect the resulting morphology.
Related Works
Limaye, A., Adler, J., Moodie, A., Whipple, K., and Howard, A. (2023). Effect of Standing Water on Formation of Fan-Shaped Sedimentary Deposits at Hypanis Valles, Mars. Geophysical Research Letters, https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102367.
Adler, J. B., Asphaug, E., Robinson, M. S., Winhold, A., Davison, T. M., and Artemieva, N. (2019). Tycho Ejecta Deposits Near the Ballistic Antipode: New Modeling Methods. In 50th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (No. 2132, p. 2201). The Woodlands, TX. Abstract.
Adler, J. B. (2019). The Geologic History of the Hypanis Deposit, Mars; and Ballistic Modeling of Lunar Impact Ejecta. Ph.D. Dissertation, Arizona State University.
Adler, J. B., Paige, D. A., and Schlichting, H. E. (2013). Computing the Diurnal Yarkovsky Drift Rate for a Shape Model. In 44th Annual Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (No. 1719, p. 2527). The Woodlands, TX.
Russ, A., Adler, J., and Rivera-Hernández, F. (2022). Modeling the behavior of mudflows on Mars. In Explorigins Colloquium. Atlanta, GA.