Graduate Presentation: Venus hot break hypothesis

Click For Summary
The presentation at the Ancient Venus conference in Houston on July 25 will explore the Venus hot break hypothesis, suggesting that a glancing collision between proto-Mercury and proto-Venus could explain their distinct characteristics. This collision may have canceled the rotational momentum of both bodies, accounting for the slow rotation of Mercury and Venus. Additionally, the transfer of mantle material from proto-Mercury to proto-Venus could clarify the density differences observed between the two planets. The discussion invites contributions from those with the expertise to perform necessary calculations related to this hypothesis. Overall, the hypothesis aims to provide insights into the formation and evolution of Venus and Mercury.
Andre
Messages
4,294
Reaction score
73
TL;DR
Announcement Venus exchanged rotational energy into heat
Astronomy news on Phys.org
I have thought that a glancing collision between a proto-Mercury and a proto-Venus might explain many characteristics of the two bodies. A glancing collision of two bodies with the same rotation should be expected to cancel some or all of the rotational momentum of both bodies, perhaps explaining the slow rotation of Mercury and Venus. If the collision resulted in transfer of some of the mantle of the proto-Mercury to the proto-Venus this would explain the higher density of Mercury and lower density of Venus. https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/
Re-accretion of the transferred material to Venus might contribute to its counter rotation.
I do not have the expertise or facilities to do the necessary calculations but perhaps you do.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
947
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
8K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
7K