Researcher Sergei Ipatov, affiliated with the Department of Celestial Mechanics at the Sternberg Astronomical Institute in Moscow, has published a comprehensive study on the formation and evolution of planetary systems, with a primary focus on our Solar System. The research, published in the journal “Solar System Research,” delves into various aspects of planetary formation, migration, and the dynamics of celestial bodies.
Ipatov’s work begins by examining the collapse of the presolar cloud and the subsequent accumulation of planets. He explores the formation of the Earth-Moon system, binary trans-Neptunian objects, and the axial rotations of planets. The study also investigates the formation of asteroid and trans-Neptunian belts, including the evolution of resonant asteroid orbits and the creation of the Kirkwood gaps in the asteroid belt. This research is particularly relevant to the energy sector, as understanding the formation and migration of celestial bodies can provide insights into the distribution of resources, such as water ice and minerals, within our Solar System.
The book discusses the migration of bodies during the formation of the Solar System and in the present day. Ipatov highlights the delivery of icy bodies from beyond the ice line to the terrestrial planets and the formation of craters on the Moon. The Deep Impact mission, where a spacecraft’s impact module collided with comet Tempel 1, is also discussed. This mission provided valuable data on the composition of comets, which can be crucial for understanding the potential resources available in the outer Solar System.
Ipatov’s research extends to the migration of dust in the Solar System and the formation of the zodiacal belt. He also examines the migration of bodies and dust particles ejected from the terrestrial planets and the Moon. For the energy sector, this information can be vital for planning future space missions aimed at resource extraction and utilization.
The study further explores the migration of bodies in exoplanetary systems, such as Proxima Centauri, Trappist 1, and Gliese 581. Ipatov discusses the spectra of Earth-like exoplanets with different rotation periods and the efficiency of exoplanet searches using microlensing observations with various telescopes. Understanding the dynamics of exoplanetary systems can help identify potential targets for future exploration and resource utilization.
While the book is primarily in Russian, an English-speaking reader can navigate the contents to find sections of interest. By using the listed publication numbers and the provided list of publications, readers can access free files of the relevant papers in English, gaining more detailed information than presented in the book. This research offers valuable insights for the energy sector, particularly in the context of space resource utilization and the exploration of potential energy sources beyond Earth.
Source: Ipatov, S. I. (2022). Formation and evolution of planetary systems. Solar System Research.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.