[PPS09-P07] Parameter Study of Satellite Formation via Giant Impact by N-body Simulation
Keywords:satellite formation, N-body simulation, giant impact
In the late stage of planet formation, there would be collisions between protoplanets. For example, the Moon is considered to be acreeted from a debris disk generated by the impact of Mars-sized protoplanet and the proto-Earth.While the moon formation process has been studied in detail, statistical study on satellite formation from impact-generated disks has not been done.
However, it is important to understand the general satellite formation process because satellites around exoplanets are expected to be a major observational targets. In this study, we modeled a variety of debris disk parametrized with initial disk mass and radius, and performed N-body simulations to investigate the position, number, and mass of formed satellites. We found that largest satellite formed just outside the Roche limit radius on almost all condition, and a few smaller satellites formed in outer regions.
However, it is important to understand the general satellite formation process because satellites around exoplanets are expected to be a major observational targets. In this study, we modeled a variety of debris disk parametrized with initial disk mass and radius, and performed N-body simulations to investigate the position, number, and mass of formed satellites. We found that largest satellite formed just outside the Roche limit radius on almost all condition, and a few smaller satellites formed in outer regions.