Using insights gleaned from studying exoplanets, astronomers have developed a new theory that explains the formation of all of Jupiter’s Galilean moons. The team, led by Konstantin Batygin of Caltech, then went on to use the theory to create computer simulations emulating the moons’ formation. The results were promising — to say the least.
As Batygin tells Astronomy, the simulations included one run that was so close to reality that he “had to do a double take.” It was so jarring, he says, “I went on a run to calm down. Came back. And looked at it again.”
The researchers tell a story of how the jovian moons built themselves up — one by one — from tiny motes of icy dust left over from the initial formation of the solar system. Once large enough, each moon then migrated inward, eventually settling into a clockwork-like orbit.
The new research was published May 18 in The Astrophysical Journal.
