On the origin of the Pluto-Charon binary
Journal Article
·
· Astrophysical Journal; (USA)
- Washington Univ., Saint Louis, MO (USA)
The normalized angular momentum density of Pluto-Charon (0.45) exceeds the critical value of 0.39 above which no stably rotating single object exists, suggesting a collisional origin for this binary. The effects of viscosity on Pluto's rotational stability and on the density of Charon are considered. Both a more or less dense Charon would be consistent with a collisional origin if one (the least massive) or both protoobjects were differentiated. It is noted that the angular momentum of the system requires the protoobjects to be comparably (if not equally) sized if off-center impact velocities vary between escape (about 1.3 km/s) and somewhat greater values (about 2.5 km/s) appropriate to Pluto's eccentric and inclined solar orbit. 30 refs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5220146
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 344; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Dynamics of Pluto and Charon
Pluto and Charon - the dance goes on
Resolved CCD Photometry of Pluto and Charon
Journal Article
·
Tue Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1989
· Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)
·
OSTI ID:5917052
Pluto and Charon - the dance goes on
Journal Article
·
Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987
· Sky Telesc.; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:5830642
Resolved CCD Photometry of Pluto and Charon
Journal Article
·
Thu Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1988
· Publ. Astron. Soc. Pac.; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:6854775