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Low-speed impact phenomena and orbital resonances in the moon- and planet-building processA simulation of collisional and gravitational interaction in the early solar system generates planets approximately 1000 km in diameter from an initial swarm of kilometer sized planetesimals. The model treats collisions according to experimental and theoretical impact results (such as rebound, cratering, and catastrophic fragmentation) for a variety of materials whose parameters span plausible values for early solid objects. The small planets form in approximately 1000 yr, during which time most of the mass of the system continues to reside in particles near the original size. The simulation is terminated when the largest objects' random motion is of smaller dimension than their collision cross-sections. The few 1000 km planets may act as seeds for the subsequent, gradual, accretional growth into full-sized planets.
Document ID
19780011073
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Chapman, C. R. (Planetary Science Inst. Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
December 30, 1977
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-155310
Accession Number
78N19016
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NASW-2909
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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