A RAS Specialist Discussion Meeting organised by:Dr Craig Agnor (QMUL) c.b.agnor_at_qmul.ac.uk; Dr Apostolos Christou (Armagh Observatory) aac_at_star.arm.ac.uk and Professor Carl Murray (QMUL) c.d.murray_at_qmul.ac.uk
Abstract: The last decade has seen an explosion in the number of known natural
satellites in the solar system. Satellites are now recognised as ubiquitous among the giant, terrestrial, and dwarf planets. They may also be found orbiting asteroids and Kuiper belt objects and embedded in ring systems. Observing campaigns and robot spacecraft (e.g.,Cassini-Huygens New Horizons) continue to reveal the complex physical
characteristics of moons and the intricate and coupled dynamical evolution of satellite systems.
This discussion meeting aims to review current observations and characteristics of natural satellites including the satellite and ring systems of the giant planets, the Moon, the Martian satellites, dwarf planet systems (e.g., Pluto-Charon), and minor planet satellites. The meeting will then examine the dynamical processes that affect
satellite evolution (e.g., tides, internal structure, satellite-disk-ring interactions, collisions, cratering, YORP, gravitational dynamics), satellite formation, and mission concepts for the continuous exploration these bodies.