When and where were the satellites of Uranus formed

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Natural Satellites, Planetary Evolution, Uranus (Planet), Angular Momentum, Astronomical Models, Orbital Elements, Satellite Orbits, Tides

Scientific paper

Uranus exhibits an unusually large obliquity compared to other planets of the solar system; its equator is inclined by 98 deg to the plane of its orbit. However its five satellites are remarkably regular, with eccentricities and inclinations very nearly zero, but of course with orbit planes that are tilted by 98 deg to the plane of the ecliptic. This circumstance is used here to relate the formation of satellites to planet formation. We exclude contemporaneous formation of planet and satellites, and conclude instead that the satellites were formed or acquired after the planet's axis had been tilted. A plausible scenario involves the tidal capture of a body having 5% to 10% of the planet's mass - sufficient to account for the tilt - followed by its accretion. However, tidal forces break up the body into chunks, slow the accretion, and allow 1% of the chunks to form the satellites through interaction with a temporary dense atmosphere.

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