Physics
Scientific paper
Apr 1985
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1985pggp.rept..137w&link_type=abstract
In NASA, Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. and Geophys. Program, 1984 p 137-139 (SEE N85-23474 13-91)
Physics
Approximation, Computerized Simulation, Inelastic Collisions, Protoplanets, Terrestrial Planets, Two Body Problem, Eccentricity, Monte Carlo Method, Perturbation, Trajectories
Scientific paper
The validity of the two body approximation in calculations of planetary growth is examined. Use of this approximation is essential to practical 3 dimensional simulations of planetary growth. With regard to gravitational perturbations, the changes in semimajor axis, eccentricity, and inclination resulting from close planetesimal encounters (near 1 A.U.) out to 10 Tisserand sphere of influence radii were calculated by two and three dimensional numerical integration. These were compared with the results of treating the encounter as a two body problem, as is customary in Monte Carlo calculations of orbital evolution and in numerical and analytical studies of planetary accumulation. It is found that for values of (V/Ve) approx. 0.35 (V = relative velocity, V = escape velocity of largest body), the two body approximation fails to describe the outcome of individual encounters. In this low velocity region, the two body gravitational focusing cross section is no longer valid.
No associations
LandOfFree
Accumulation of the terrestrial planets does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Accumulation of the terrestrial planets, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Accumulation of the terrestrial planets will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1289981