Uranus: Predicted origin and composition of its atmosphere, moons and rings
Abstract
Numerical modelling of the gravitational capture and contraction of Uranus' primitive atmosphere with the modern laplacian theory, suggests that the four outer moons consist mostly of frozen methane and have densities ~ 0.53 g/cm3. Miranda, and any new moons interior to its orbit, contains mostly rock and water ice, with density sim; 1.35 g/cm3.
- Publication:
-
Physics Letters A
- Pub Date:
- February 1986
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0375-9601(86)90209-4
- Bibcode:
- 1986PhLA..114..211P