Jupiter might have shaped the Solar System on its grand tack
The Grand tack hypothesis is a model of early Solar System evolution that explains the formation and orbital distribution of the terrestrial planets, the asteroid belt, and the gas giants. Proposed in the early 21st century, the hypothesis suggests that Jupiter and Saturn underwent significant migration within the protoplanetary disk, which profoundly influenced the architecture of the Solar System.[1]
Background[]
During the early stages of the Solar System, the protoplanetary disk contained gas and dust from which planets formed. Planetary migration, driven by interactions with this disk, is thought to have been a common process in young planetary systems. The Grand tack hypothesis incorporates such migration to resolve discrepancies in classical models of planetary formation.[2]
Key Components[]
- Inward migration of Jupiter: According to the hypothesis, Jupiter initially formed at a distance of about 3.5 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun. As it interacted with the protoplanetary disk, it migrated inward to approximately 1.5 AU, near the current orbit of Mars.[3]
- Reversal ("tack") due to Saturn: Saturn formed later and migrated inward, eventually becoming locked in a 2:3 mean-motion resonance with Jupiter. This gravitational interaction caused the pair to reverse their inward migration, with both planets moving outward. This reversal is analogous to a sailing maneuver known as a "tack," giving the hypothesis its name.[4]
- Impact on the terrestrial planets: The inward migration of Jupiter is thought to have truncated the planet-forming material in the inner Solar System, limiting the mass available to form Mars. This explains why Mars is significantly smaller than Earth and Venus.[5]
- Formation of the Asteroid belt: The Grand tack also provides an explanation for the structure of the asteroid belt. Jupiter's migration redistributed material, mixing rocky inner Solar System material with icy bodies from the outer Solar System, leading to the current composition of the asteroid belt.[6]
Implications and Challenges[]
The Grand tack hypothesis has successfully explained several observed features of the Solar System, including:
- The size dichotomy between Earth and Mars.[7]
- The mixed composition of the asteroid belt.[8]
However, the hypothesis remains a subject of debate. Critics point to uncertainties in the details of migration mechanisms and the timing of planet formation. Observational evidence from other planetary systems has provided indirect support for the concept of giant planet migration, lending credibility to the model.[9]
References[]
- ↑ https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/pdf/2011/09/aa17451-11.pdf
- ↑ https://fiveable.me/key-terms/intro-astronomy/grand-tack-model
- ↑ http://astro.vaporia.com/start/grandtack.html
- ↑ https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/492/4/6007/5717317
- ↑ https://www.oca.eu/images/LAGRANGE/pages_perso/morby/papers/P128.pdf
- ↑ https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/news/jupiters-grand-tack-reshaped-the-solar-system/
- ↑ https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/news/jupiters-grand-tack-reshaped-the-solar-system/
- ↑ https://planetplanet.net/2013/08/02/the-grand-tack/
- ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27957541/
| Models of the Solar System | ||
|---|---|---|
| Solar Formation | Nebular hypothesis | |
| Dynamical Evolution | ||
| Origin of the Moon | ||
| Early Development | Grand tack hypothesis • Fission theory • Co-formation theory • Capture theory • Migration of Neptune • Jumping-Jupiter scenario | |
| Later Development | Nice model (Nice 2 model • Five-planet Nice model) | |
| Planetary Formation | Giant-impact hypothesis | |
| Placement | Heliocentric model • Geocentric model | |