Fragmentation and ablation of the planetesimals in the protoplanetary disks of Jupiter and Saturn

Abstract

Abstract In this study we discuss the capture of bodies into the gaseous disks around young Jupiter and Saturn due to gas drag in the disks. We suppose that solution of the problem will allow estimation of the masses and composition of bodies that fell on the growing icy moons. This would provide explanation of the differences in the mean density and internal structure of giant icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. The multiparameter problem of braking, fragmentation and ablation of planetesimals (a comet substance) in the gas medium of the circumplanetary disk is solved by a modified approach of the meteor physics. Our research shows that a significant masses of protosatellite material falling on the circumplanetary disks of Jupiter and Saturn are captured in the disks. At the same time the masses captured in the formation region of different moons are very different. The braking and fragmentation of planetesimals can be the main parameter in the mechanism of capture mass of planetesimals by the accretion disks of giant planets. There is a significant difference in the mass of material captured by the aerodynamic braking and ablation in the formation regions of Ganymede, Callisto, and Titan (up to 30-40%). For a material strength of 2* 104 Pa <σ* <2*105 Pa, a significant difference in the amount of matter captured by the disk in the feeding region of the regular ice satellites of Ganymede, Callisto and Titan is possible. The presence of fragmentation is perhaps one of the reasons for the difference in the internal structure of Ganymede, Callisto and Titan.