Collisional Processes in the Solar System

by Marov, Mikhail Iakovlevich; Rickman, Hans

• ISBN13: 9780792369462
• ISBN10: 0792369467
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-12-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

The explosive growth of knowledge in the field of space exploration and, in particular the interdisciplinary character of the subject of collisions in the solar system, put the scientific interest of planetary and galactic astronomers, as well as specialists in geophysics, dynamics, and cosmochemistry in a common focus. Obvious highlights include the explosion in the rate of discoveries of Kuiper belt objects; better understanding of dynamics of main belt asteroids and the processes affecting their injection into the inner planets crossing orbits; growing understanding of the importance of comets and asteroids in the delivery of volatiles to the inner planets and even possibly in life origin on the Earth; great acceleration of NEO discovery and more reliable prediction of their future threat to the Earth. All these topics are thoroughly addressed and discussed by the top-level specialists in the field on the most comprehensive and unprecedented basis. Owing to its interdisciplinary character the book will undoubtedly meet an interest of specialists in the different fields of astronomy, planetary and Earth sciences.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Size-frequency distributions of planetary impact craters and asteroids	1	(34)
B.A. Ivanov
G. Neukum
R. Wagner
The meteoroidal influx to the Earth	35	(16)
Z. Ceplecha
The impact record on asteroid surfaces	51	(22)
W.F. Bottke, Jr.
R. Greenberg
Cometary Dynamics	73	(18)
H.F. Levison
M.J. Duncan
Variable Oort cloud flux due to the Galactic tide	91	(12)
J.J. Matese
K.A. Innanen
M.J. Valtonen
Galactic triggering of periodic comet showers and mass extinctions on Earth	103	(18)
M.R. Rampino
The role of non-gravitational forces in decoupling orbits from Jupiter	121	(10)
D.J. Asher
M.E. Bailey
D.I. Steel
The cometary contribution to planetary impact craters	131	(12)
H. Rickman
J.A. Fernandez
G. Tancredi
J. Licandro
Physical properties of planet crossing objects	143	(20)
D. Jewitt
Y. Fernandez
Distant comet observations	163	(10)
K.J. Meech
O.R. Hainaut
Long-term orbital evolution of protoplanets	173	(8)
K. Yoshinaga
E. Kokubo
J. Makino
Accretional origin of the giant planets and its consequences	181	(22)
W.H. IP
J.A. Fernandez
N-body simulations of Moon accretion	203	(20)
S. Ida
E. Kokubo
T. Takeda
Volatile inventory and early evolution of the planetary atmospheres	223	(26)
M. Ya. Marov
S.I. Ipatov
From the interstellar medium to planetary atmospheres via comets	249	(16)
T.C. Owen
A. Bar-Nun
Dust influx to Titan from Hyperion	265	(12)
A.V. Krivov
M. Banaszkiewicz
Collisional effects in the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt	277	(10)
D.R. Davis
P.F. Farinella
In Memoriam: Paolo Farinella	287	(2)
D.R. Davis
Origin and evolution of near Earth asteroids	289	(14)
A. Morbidelli
Formation of asteroid families and delivery of NEO showers from the main belt	303	(20)
V. Zappala
A. Cellino
Near-Earth asteroid surveys	323	(10)
A.W. Harris
NEO, the Spaceguard system and the Spaceguard Foundation	333
A. Carusi