ASTR 450
Dynamical Evolution of the Solar System
The Solar System was formed in a state which differs from that
observed today by 4.5 billion years of dynamical evolution. By
studying the details of this evolution, we learn more about the
conditions prevalent shortly after the Solar System's formation. We
can also understand our Solar System better by studying the evolution
of others like it. The figure shows that solar perturbations acting on
planetary satellites on polar orbits rapidly destabilize the
orbits. If our Moon's orbit were inclined by 90 degrees out of the
ecliptic, it would crash into the Earth in ~6.5 years! This is part of
the reason that no satellites in the Solar System have highly-inclined
orbits! Similar dynamics causes some comets to become Sun-grazing and
also allows Oort cloud objects to enter the inner Solar System.
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