Origins of satellites.
Abstract
Satellites are an inevitable consequence of most plausible planetary accumulation processes. They can arise from gaseous or particulate circumplanetary disks, continuously fed during accretion of the planet or infrequently created by large impacts. They can also arise from capture, aided by gas drag. Fission (in the Darwinian sense) is highly unlikely. This review seeks to assess critically the alternatives within the context of current ideas of the early solar system, guided by both cosmochemical and dynamical constraints, but unencumbered by prejudices concerning planetary growth. Topics discussed include the dynamics of both gaseous and particulate disks, the role of large impacts in creating satellite source material, the role of capture, and the thermodynamics of satellite accretion. Possible explanations for each of the satellite systems are offered.
- Publication:
-
IAU Colloq. 77: Some Background about Satellites
- Pub Date:
- 1986
- Bibcode:
- 1986sats.book...39S
- Keywords:
-
- Natural Satellites;
- Planetary Evolution;
- Solar System;
- Ablation;
- Accretion Disks;
- Asteroids;
- Coagulation;
- Condensation;
- Gas Giant Planets;
- Impact;
- Protoplanets;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration;
- Cosmogony:Planetary Satellites;
- Planetary Satellites:Cosmogony;
- Planetary Satellites:Origin