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Evolution of the Uranus-neptune Planetesimal Swarm: Consequences for the EarthThe evolution of planetesimals in the outer Solar System were evaluated, both stellar and planetary encounters. About 20% of the Uranus-Neptune planetesimals (UNP's) enter the comet cloud and are stored primarily in the region inside the observational limits of the Oort cloud. Half of the comets have suruived to the present time; the cloud now has a mass of the order of Jupiter's mass. Most UNP's are ejected from the Solar system, and about half of the planetesimal swarm is passed to the control of Jupiter prior to ejection. Jupiter's perturbations drive a large flux of these planetesimals into Earth-crossing orbits, and it now appears highly probable that UNP's account for most of the heavy bombardment of the Moon and Earth.
Document ID
19840015377
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Shoemaker, E. M.
(Geological Survey Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Wolfe, R. F.
(Geological Survey Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1984
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. Program
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
84N23445
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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