The Origin of Chondrules at Jovian Resonances
S. J. Weidenschilling,
*
F. Marzari,
L. L. Hood
Isotopic dating indicates that chondrules were produced a few
million years after the solar nebula formed. This timing is incompatible with dynamical lifetimes of small particles in the nebula
and short time scales for the formation of planetesimals. Temporal and
dynamical constraints can be reconciled if chondrules were produced by
heating of debris from disrupted first-generation planetesimals. Jovian
resonances can excite planetesimal eccentricities enough to cause
collisional disruption and melting of dust by bow shocks in the nebular
gas. The ages of chondrules may indicate the times of Jupiter's
formation and dissipation of gas from the asteroidal region.
S. J. Weidenschilling, Planetary Science Institute, Tucson,
AZ 85705, USA.
F. Marzari, Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy.
L. L. Hood, Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona,
Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
*
To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
sjw{at}psi.edu
