On the number of planets in the outer solar system - Evidence of a substantial population of 1000-km bodies

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 UTC 1991 · Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(91)90106-4· OSTI ID:5225128

Stern, S A ^[1]

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1. Colorado Univ., Boulder (USA)

If as presently suggested, in addition to comets, a possible large number of nearly 1000-km diameter planetary bodies may have been scattered into the Kuiper disk and Oort cloud, then the present population of planets in the outer solar system is greater than previously recognized. Calculations are presented which support this hypothesis by indicating that the large Uranus and Neptune tilts, the capture of Triton, and the formation of the Pluto-Charon binary, imply the past presence of numerous bodies of the scale presently cited in the 20-50 AU region. An evaluation is made of the prospects for detection of such bodies. 46 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5225128
• Journal Information: Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (United States), Journal Name: Icarus (International Journal of the Solar System); (United States) Vol. 90; ISSN ICRSA; ISSN 0019-1035
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
ATMOSPHERES
COSMIC GASES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
DETECTION
FLUIDS
GASES
H2 REGIONS
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
MASS
NEPTUNE PLANET
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
POPULATIONS
PROTOPLANETS
SATELLITES
SIZE
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
SOLAR CORONA
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
SPACE
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR CORONAE
URANUS PLANET