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Derivation of the collision probability between orbiting objects The lifetimes of Jupiter's outer moonsA general form is derived for Opik's equations relating to the probability of collision between two orbiting objects to their orbital elements, and used to determine the collisional lifetime of the eight outer moons of Jupiter. The derivation is based on a concept of spatial density, or average number of objects found in a unit volume, and results in a set of equations that are easily applied to a variety of orbital collision problems. When applied to the outer satellites, which are all in irregular orbits, the equations predict a relatively long collisional lifetime for the four retrograde moons (about 270 billon years on the average) and a shorter time for the four posigrade moons (0.9 billion years). This short time is suggestive of a past collision history, and may account for the orbiting dust detected by Pioneers 10 and 11.
Document ID
19820035944
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Kessler, D. J.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 48
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
82A19479
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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