Chapter 13: Problem 8

All of the Galilean satellites orbit Jupiter in the same direction. Furthermore, the planes of their orbits all lie within \(0.5^{\circ}\) of Jupiter's equatorial plane. Explain why these observations are consistent with the idea that the Galilean satellites formed from a "Jovian nebula."

Short Answer

Expert verified

The direction and plane of orbits of the Galilean satellites is consistent with them forming from a 'Jovian nebula', because the conservation of angular momentum would result in them orbiting in the same direction, and the disk-like structure of the Jovian nebula would result in their orbital planes lying close to Jupiter's equatorial plane.

Step by step solution

Understanding the concept of Jovian Nebula

The first step is understanding the 'Jovian Nebula' which is a hypothetical nebula that the Galilean satellites are believed to have formed from. This is a disk of gas and dust existing around Jupiter during its formation.

Understanding the direction of the orbits

The Galilean satellites all orbit in the same direction because the original angular momentum of the Jovian nebula must be conserved. This is a standard property of protoplanetary disks, which the Jovian nebula is.

Understanding the planes of the orbits

The planes of orbits of all Galilean satellites lying within \(0.5^{\circ}\) of Jupiter's equatorial plane can be explained by the nature of the Jovian nebula. It would have been a flattened, disk-like structure because the nebula flattened under gravity into a protoplanetary disk.

Summarize the explanation

Putting steps 1 to 3 together, it is consistent with the idea that the Galilean satellites formed from a Jovian nebula because the features observed, such as the direction and plane of the orbits, are those expected from a formation process involving a protoplanetary disk.

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All of the Galilean satellites orbit Jupiter in the same direction. Furthermore, the planes of their orbits all lie within \(0.5^{\circ}\) of Jupiter's equatorial plane. Explain why these observations are consistent with the idea that the Galilean satellites formed from a "Jovian nebula."

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding the concept of Jovian Nebula

Understanding the direction of the orbits

Understanding the planes of the orbits

Summarize the explanation

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