A Scaling Relationship for Satellite-Forming Impacts

✍ Scribed by Robin M. Canup; William R. Ward; A.G.W. Cameron

• Book ID: 102569768
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2001
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 497 KB
• Volume: 150
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0019-1035
• DOI: 10.1006/icar.2000.6581

✦ Synopsis

We describe a scaling relationship that can be used to characterize the results of numerical smooth particle hydrodynamic (SPH) experiments of potential satellite-forming impacts. The relationship is used to interpret and summarize data from 41 such SPH simulations, all employing an impactor-to-target mass ratio of 3 : 7, but with a variety of total masses and angular momenta. The results can be utilized to infer other classes of impacts beyond those simulated to date that are plausible Moon-forming candidates.