Neptune's capture of its moon Triton in a binary-planet gravitational encounter

Article Abstract:

Triton's, Neptune's largest moon, inclined and circular orbit lies between a group of small inner prograde satellites and a number of exterior irregular satellites with both prograde and retrograde orbits and this unusual configuration has led to the belief that Triton originally orbited the Sun before being captured in orbit around Neptune. A three-body gravitational encounter between a binary system (of ~[10.sup.3] kilometer-sized bodies) and Neptune reported that the process was relevant to Triton's capture.

Analysis, Earth, Astronomical rotation, Triton (Satellite)

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Circular problems

Article Abstract:

All planets in the Solar System follow almost circular, co-planar orbits around the Sun, supporting the theory that they accreted out of a flattened disk of dust and gas, the solar nebula. Results from numerical simulations suggested that flattened disks of dust and gas do not inevitably result in massive and widely spaced planets. Where both gas drag and jovian perturbations are significant, planetesimals follow out of phase eccentric orbits. Collisions may be significant enough to prevent accretion.

Planets, Orbits (Astrophysics)

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Saturn saturated with satellites

Article Abstract:

Improvements in ground based detector technology have led to the discovery of new moons orbiting the major planets of the solar system. These discoveries are leading to a reappraisal of satellite origins and capture theories.

Satellites, Satellites (Astronomical bodies), Saturn (Planet)

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