Minor Satellites and the Gaspra Encounter
Abstract
Observational evidence, especially from occultations and radar, indicate that satellites of minor planets are numerous and commonplace. This leads to the prediction that the Galileo spacecraft will find many such 'minor satellites' at the upcoming close encounter with minor planet 951 Gaspra. If such objects are found, this argues strongly against the current theory of minor planet origin from the primeval solar nebula.
- Publication:
-
Asteroids, Comets, Meteors 1991
- Pub Date:
- December 1992
- Bibcode:
- 1992acm..proc..609V
- Keywords:
-
- Asteroids;
- Galileo Spacecraft;
- Natural Satellites;
- Planetary Evolution;
- Solar System Evolution;
- Encounters;
- Occultation;
- Planetary Nebulae;
- Radar Echoes;
- Astrophysics