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A common mass scaling for satellite systems of gaseous planets

Author

Listed:
  • Robin M. Canup

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • William R. Ward

    (Southwest Research Institute)

Abstract

The Solar System's outer planets that contain hydrogen gas all host systems of multiple moons, which notably each contain a similar fraction of their respective planet's mass (∼10-4). This mass fraction is two to three orders of magnitude smaller than that of the largest satellites of the solid planets (such as the Earth's Moon), and its common value for gas planets has been puzzling. Here we model satellite growth and loss as a forming giant planet accumulates gas and rock-ice solids from solar orbit. We find that the mass fraction of its satellite system is regulated to ∼10-4 by a balance of two competing processes: the supply of inflowing material to the satellites, and satellite loss through orbital decay driven by the gas. We show that the overall properties of the satellite systems of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus arise naturally, and suggest that similar processes could limit the largest moons of extrasolar Jupiter-mass planets to Moon-to-Mars size.

Suggested Citation

  • Robin M. Canup & William R. Ward, 2006. "A common mass scaling for satellite systems of gaseous planets," Nature, Nature, vol. 441(7095), pages 834-839, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:441:y:2006:i:7095:d:10.1038_nature04860
    DOI: 10.1038/nature04860
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