Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system

Details Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system

Dec 1979

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1979icar...40..484h&link_type=abstract

Icarus, vol. 40, Dec. 1979, p. 484-496.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

9

Asteroids, Astronomical Models, Induction Heating, Planetary Evolution, Resistance Heating, Solar System, Electrical Resistivity, Mercury (Planet), Metamorphism (Geology), Moon, Solar Wind, Thermal Environments

Scientific paper

Electromagnetic processes occurring in the primordial solar system are likely to have significantly affected planetary evolution. In particular, electrical coupling of the kinetic energy of a dense T-Tauri-like solar wind into the interior of the smaller planets could have been a major driver of thermal metamorphism. Accordingly a grid of asteroid models of various sizes and solar distances was constructed using dc transverse magnetic induction theory. Plausible parameterizations with no requirement for a high environmental temperature led to complete melting for Vesta with no melting for Pallas and Ceres. High temperatures were reached in the Pallas model, perhaps implying nonmelting thermal metamorphosis as a cause of its anomalous spectrum. A reversal of this temperature sequence seems implausible, suggesting that the Ceres-Pallas-Vesta dichotomy is a natural outcome of the induction mechanism. Highly localized heating is expected to arise due to an instability in the temperature-controlled current distribution. Localized metamorphosis resulting from this effect may be relevant to the production and evolution of pallasites, the large presumed metal component of S object spectra, and the formation of the lunar magma ocean.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system 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 Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1447492