On the Origin of the Pluto System

TL;DR

This paper reviews hypotheses for the origin of the Pluto system, emphasizing the giant impact model, and discusses implications for planetary formation, moon origins, and early solar system dynamics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of current models and introduces new perspectives on planet formation, migration, and the origins of Pluto's moons and binary systems.

Findings

Giant impact hypothesis is the most plausible origin for Pluto-Charon.

New models suggest specific formation and migration scenarios in the outer solar system.

Open issues remain regarding the origins of Pluto's small moons and binary systems.

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to review hypotheses for the origin of the Pluto system in light of observational constraints that have been considerably refined over the 85-year interval between the discovery of Pluto and its exploration by spacecraft. We focus on the giant impact hypothesis currently understood as the likeliest origin for the Pluto-Charon binary, and devote particular attention to new models of planet formation and migration in the outer solar system. We discuss the origins conundrum posed by the system's four small moons. We also elaborate on the implications of these scenarios for the dynamical environment of the early transneptunian disk, the likelihood of finding a Pluto collisional family, and the origin of other binary systems in the Kuiper belt. Finally, we highlight outstanding open issues regarding the origins of the Pluto system and suggest areas of future progress.