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The Kuiper Belt and its Primordial Sculpting

Morbidelli, A. and Brown, M. E. and Levison, H. F. (2003) The Kuiper Belt and its Primordial Sculpting. Earth, Moon, and Planets, 92 (1-4). pp. 1-27. ISSN 0167-9295. doi:10.1023/B:MOON.0000031921.37380.80. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20120926-114941465

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Abstract

We discuss the structure of the Kuiper belt as it can be inferred from the first decade of observations. In particular, we focus on its most intriguing properties – the mass deficit, inclination distribution, the apparent existence of an outer edge and of a correlation among inclinations, colours and sizes – which clearly show that the belt has lost its pristine structure of a dynamically cold protoplanetary disk. Understanding how the Kuiper belt acquired its present structure will provide insight into the formation of the outer planetary system and on its early evolution. We outline a scenario of primordial sculpting – issued from a combination of mechanisms proposed by various authors – that seems to explain most of the observed properties of the Kuiper belt. Several aspects are not yet totally clear. But, for the first time, we have a view – if not of the detailed sculpture – at least of its rough cast.


Item Type:Article
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:MOON.0000031921.37380.80DOIArticle
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023%2FB%3AMOON.0000031921.37380.80PublisherArticle
http://rdcu.be/vswpPublisherFree ReadCube access
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Brown, M. E.0000-0002-8255-0545
Additional Information:© 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Issue or Number:1-4
DOI:10.1023/B:MOON.0000031921.37380.80
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20120926-114941465
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20120926-114941465
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:34467
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By:INVALID USER
Deposited On:26 Sep 2012 21:00
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 23:08

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