On the origin of retrograde satellites of planets

Abstract

The retrograde moons of the giant planets are special objects in the Solar system. Unlike regular satellites they revolve around planets in opposite direction on orbits with large angles of inclination and eccentricity. By this time there is no universally accepted concept of their origin. Studies of orbital parameters of retrograde satellites of planets during their evolution can give us information about their formation after the formation of planets and direct satellite systems. This article is an overview of retrograde satellites on the set of orbital parameters and considered various hypotheses of their formation.

Keywords

• celestial mechanics
• retrograde satellites
• formation of planets and satellites