Irregular moon: Difference between revisions
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There's no widely accepted precise definition of the irregular satellite. Typically, the semi-major axis is compared with the [[Hill sphere]] (the gravitational influence sphere) <math>r_H</math>. |
There's no widely accepted precise definition of the irregular satellite. Typically, the semi-major axis is compared with the [[Hill sphere]] (the gravitational influence sphere) <math>r_H</math>. |
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Irregular satellites have semi-major axes greater than 0.05 <math>r_H</math> and [[apoapsis]] up to 0.65 <math>r_H</math>. <ref =name=Sheppard2006> [[Scott S. Sheppard]] ''Outer irregular satellites of the planets and their relationship with asteroids, comets and Kuiper Belt objects'' Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, Proceedings of the 229th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union held in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil August 7-12, 2005, Edited by Daniela, L.; Sylvio Ferraz, M.; Angel, F. Julio Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006., pp.319-334. [http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0605041 Preprint.] </ref> |
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Irregular satellites have semi-major axes greater than 0.05 <math>r_H</math> and [[apoapsis]] up to 0.65 <math>r_H</math>. |
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===References=== |
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Revision as of 13:15, 25 July 2006
In Astronomy, an irregular satellite is a natural satellite following an inclined, sometimes retrograde orbit and believed to be captured as opposed to a regular satellite, formed in situ.
Eighty-six irregular satellites have been discovered since 1997 orbiting all four giant planets. Only Phoebe the largest irregular satellite of Saturn and Himalia, the largest irregular satellite of Jupiter and a dozen others have beendiscovered earlier.
There's no widely accepted precise definition of the irregular satellite. Typically, the semi-major axis is compared with the Hill sphere (the gravitational influence sphere) . Irregular satellites have semi-major axes greater than 0.05 and apoapsis up to 0.65 . [1]
References
- ^ Scott S. Sheppard Outer irregular satellites of the planets and their relationship with asteroids, comets and Kuiper Belt objects Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, Proceedings of the 229th Symposium of the International Astronomical Union held in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil August 7-12, 2005, Edited by Daniela, L.; Sylvio Ferraz, M.; Angel, F. Julio Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006., pp.319-334. Preprint.
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