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| Author(s): |
Leonardo Di Schiavi Trotta
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) |
| Defense date: | 2017-02-22 |
| Advisor: | Tadashi Yokoyama |
| Abstract | |
The Pluto-Charon system is almost a binary system in dual synchronous state. It is well known that Pluto has five satellites: Charon, Styx, Nix, Kerberos and Hydra, where the latter four are much smaller than Charon. The most plausible origin for the Pluto-Charon system is an oblique impact of great proportions between bodies with similar sizes. In this scenario, the impactor, which would later originate Charon, would remain almost intact after the collision. Initially the satellite would be revolving very close to Pluto (ex: a≈4Rp), with both bodies rotating very fast, as consequence of the mutual collision. The strong tidal effects, due to the initial approximation of both bodies combined with the fast rotation, expanded Charon's orbit, so as their equators aligned (probably misaligned due to the collision), in consonance with their respective spins. Some authors, using a two dimensional system and tidal forces modeled by Mignard (1980) and Peale (2007), with two distinct methods, evolved PlutoCharon from this scenario. They were able to reproduce the current orbital and rotational parameters of the system. In our work, a three-dimensional study was done, using the Andoyer's variable for the rotational problem. We integrated Pluto and Charon's atitude through Hamilton's equation, while the translational dynamics is calculated classically through Newton's cartesian equations. Torque's contributions due to tides raised on both Pluto and Charon are introduced in Hamilton's equations. As result we demonstrate: the alignment of the equators of Pluto and Charon, the circularization of Charon's orbit around Pluto, the alignment of the spin axis of both Pluto and Charon with the vector normal to the orbit plane and the expansion of Charon's orbit to its current value (from a=4 Rp to 16,5 Rp). We also demonstrate the moment where the system reaches the final point of tidal evolution, that is, the dual synchronous state of the pair and the libration of the respective resonant angle 1 : 1. During the evolution process of the system, some simulations showed that depending on the tidal parameters assumed (k2 e Δt), Charon can reach a considerable eccentricity. In 2005 two satellites of Pluto were discovered, Nix and Hydra, and later in 2011 and 2012 another two satellites were discovered, Kerberos and Styx, respectively. The origin of these satellites remains uncertain. Nevertheless in this work, some approaches were done in order to study the lifespan of these bodies during the process of tidal evolution of the Pluto-Charon system. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 14/27322-0 - Secular rotational dynamics of quasi-binary systems: Pluto-Charon |
| Grantee: | Leonardo Di Schiavi Trotta |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |