23 Jan 2025 14:00 CEST

Modeling the past dynamical evolution of the Uranian moon system

Mattia Rossi

University of Pisa

In recent times, the Uranian satellite system has raised particular attention due to its intricate dynamical and geological past, especially in light of the high-priority NASA Flagship mission to Uranus. The only spacecraft that visited this planet so far is Voyager 2, which observed the five regular moons (Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania and Oberon). The system exhibits both traces of ancient surfaces and past resurfacing phenomena, and is not currently involved in any low-order mean motion resonance. However, the current eccentricities and Mirandas inclination are not as small as expected, suggesting past resonant excitation of these orbital elements. In this presentation, I will review the main proposed dynamical scenarios leading to the current architecture, as well as new ones under investigation. I will describe an averaged dynamical model of the Uranian satellites tailored for long-term numerical propagations. Finally, some preliminary simulations will be discussed.

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Advanced Concepts Team