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 can learn more about
the condition of the Solar System shortly after its formation. We can
also understand our Solar System better by studying the evolution of
others like it. The following striking example shows that solar
perturbations acting on planetary satellites on polar orbits rapidly
destabilize the orbits. If the moon's orbit were inclined by 90
degrees out of the ecliptic, it would crash into the Earth in about
6.5 years! It is perhaps not coincidental that no satellites in the
Solar System have such highly-inclined orbits! Similar dynamics
causes some comets to become Sun-grazing and allows Oort cloud objects
to enter the inner solar system.
Explore orbits like these with the interactive
Planetary
Satellite Integrator.
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