A unique stone skipping-like trajectory of asteroid Aletai

Meteoroids/asteroids could deposit energy to Earth during their entries, which arouses great concerns. Strewn field, as a product of meteoroids/asteroids breakup, comprehensively reflects the trajectory, dynamics, and physical properties of meteoroids/asteroids. It typically has a length of several to a dozen kilometers. Nevertheless, the recently found massive Aletai irons in the northwest China comprise the longest known strewn field of similar to 430 kilometers. This implies that the dynamics of Aletai could be unique. Petrographic and trace elemental studies suggest that all the Aletai masses exhibit unique compositions (IIIE anomalous), indicating that they were from the same fall event. Numerical modeling suggests that the stone skipping-like trajectory associated with a shallow entry angle (e.g., similar to 6.5 degrees to 7.3 degrees) is responsible for Aletai's exceptionally long strewn field if a single-body entry scenario is considered. The stone skipping-like trajectory would not result in the deposition of large impact energy on the ground but may lead to the dissipation of energy during its extremely long-distance flight.

Automated summary

Meteoroids and asteroids deposit energy to Earth and create strewn fields, which provide information about their trajectory and physical properties. The recently discovered Aletai irons in China have the longest known strewn field of about 430 kilometers, suggesting unique dynamics. Petrographic and elemental studies show that all Aletai masses have unique compositions, indicating a single fall event. Numerical modeling suggests that a stone skipping-like trajectory with a shallow entry angle explains Aletai's long strewn field.