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Title:
Formation of the terrestrial planets
Authors:
Wetherill, G. W.
Affiliation:
AA(Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, D.C.)
Publication:
In: Annual review of astronomy and astrophysics. Volume 18. (A81-20334 07-90) Palo Alto, Calif., Annual Reviews, Inc., 1980, p. 77-113. NASA-supported research. (Annual Reviews Homepage)
Publication Date:
00/1980
Category:
Astronomy
Origin:
STI
NASA/STI Keywords:
Gravitational Effects, Planetary Evolution, Solar System, Terrestrial Planets, Astronomical Models, Gravitational Collapse, Planetary Nebulae, Protoplanets
DOI:
10.1146/annurev.aa.18.090180.000453
Bibliographic Code:
1980ARA&A..18...77W

Abstract

Two growth mechanisms are identified for the development of the terrestrial planets: (1) gravitational instability leading to a collapse, and (2) gravitational accumulation caused by two-body collisions and coherence. The presence of a dynamically-significant gas phase would not affect either mechanism. Theoretical expressions are presented for the production of giant gaseous protoplanets by gravitational instability within a central dust layer. Gravitational accumulation is discussed with reference to the accumulation of planetesimals from a gas-free circumsolar swarm of bodies. Numerical simulations are given for the early stages of accumulation. The Safronov steady-state velocity is considered, noting that the competition between mutual collisional damping and gravitational acceleration by the members of a solar swarm yields a steady-state velocity distribution where the mean velocity is comparable to the escape velocity of the largest body. A time scale for accumulation is postulated on the basis of the radial distribution of a swarm of non-accreting bodies of equal size. The simultaneous gas-free accumulation of several terrestrial planets is noted. Attention is also given to growth mechanisms in gas-rich interplanetary media.

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