Athanasia Toliou & Mikael Granvik (2023)
Simulations show Jupiter MMRs and ν secular resonances dominate NEA delivery to near-Sun orbits, with Kozai as a possible secondary route.
Near-Earth asteroids that reach very small perihelia are expected to disrupt, but the dynamical pathways that drive them Sunward have been unclear. Using numerical simulations of a synthetic NEA population, the study identifies which resonances most often lower perihelion and compares how quickly different resonances produce this near-Sun evolution. The dominant drivers are the 3:1J and 4:1J mean-motion resonances with Jupiter and the secular resonances ν6, ν5, ν3, and ν4, with 4:1J acting fastest and ν5 slowest. A small fraction of objects reach disruption distances without late-stage resonance trapping, consistent with Lidov–Kozai-type eccentricity oscillations, close encounters, or unidentified resonances contributing in some cases.
Numerical integrations of a synthetic NEA population with an automated scan to detect mean-motion and secular resonance episodes along orbital histories.
Celestial mechanics of asteroid dynamics, especially mean-motion/secular resonances and Lidov–Kozai eccentricity–inclination coupling.