Abstract
The number of planetary satellites around solid objects in the inner solar system is small either because they are difficult or unlikely to form or because they do not survive for astronomical timescales. Here we conduct a pilot study on the possibility of satellite capture from the process of collision-less binary exchange and show that massive satellites in the range 0.01–0.1 M ⊕ can be captured by Earth-sized terrestrial planets in a way already demonstrated for larger planets in the solar system and possibly beyond. In this process, one of the binary objects is ejected, leaving the other object as a satellite in orbit around the planet. We specifically consider satellite capture by an “Earth” in an assortment of hypothetical encounters with large terrestrial binaries at 1 au around the Sun. In addition, we examine the tidal evolution of captured objects and show that orbit circularization and long-term stability are possible for cases resembling the Earth–Moon system.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.