On the origin of the moons of Jupiter

Master thesis (2019)

Authors

M. Serman Aerospace Engineering

Contributors

S.M. Cazaux (mentor)
Faculty
Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace Engineering
Copyright: © 2019 Matteo Serman
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Published Date

18-01-2019

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Abstract

The origin of the Galilean moons have puzzled the scientists for centuries. The most recent theories affirm that they formed within a circumplanetary disk (CPD), a disk of gas and dust very similar to the protoplanetary disk (PPD), from which the planets formed. However, there are still many uncertainties on this CPD, such as its size, mass, the contribution of the young Jupiter, the young Sun and many more. In this project, an innovative way of simulating this CPD has been undertaken. With the help of the software ProDiMo, thermo-chemical simulations of the disk have been carried out. Originally designed to simulate PPDs, for the first time it has been applied to the tinier CPD. The software has proven itself to work well even with CPDs. The results are coherent with the current theories and, with this new approach, more clarity has been added to the formation process of the Galilean moons. This helps us to understand the origin of our solar system and to refine the research methods for possible habitable exomoons outside of the solar system border.