Mathematics – Probability
Scientific paper
May 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dda....40.1104p&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DDA meeting #40, #11.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.905
Mathematics
Probability
Scientific paper
We discuss the mechanics that dictate three-body capture of satellites. In our work, we test the so-called "impulse approximation," which assumes that the binary is disrupted instantaneously, and the resulting speeds of the separated components are determined by their values just prior to disruption. This assumption means that the likelihood of capture depends chiefly on the separation and speeds of the binary components. We find that the impulse approximation works very well.
As an example, we show that capture rates for binaries of various mass ratios can be predicted by examining capture from two equal-mass pairs, each with the same speeds and tidal disruption distances as one of the unequal mass components. This estimate is accurate to about 10% in cases where most of the binaries pass close enough to the planet to disrupt. We examine the effects of mass ratios on the probability of capture as well as the fates of the consequent satellites.
The speed of the binary center of mass also enables us to predict the resulting inclination of the captured component: high speeds are indicative of retrograde orbits, while prograde orbits have lower speeds. The final inclination distribution is broad, however, because these orbits are highly extended and subject to strong solar tides that alter their tilts.
While the details of binary capture are best studied through numerical simulations, we find that many overall aspects of the process can be determined analytically from the initial conditions or derived from a fiducial set of simulations.
Agnor Craig Bruce
Hamilton Douglas P.
Philpott Catherine
No associations
LandOfFree
Physics of Binary Capture 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 Physics of Binary Capture, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Physics of Binary Capture will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-808706