A scaling relationship for satellite-forming impacts

We describe a scaling relationship that can be used to characterize the results of numerical smooth particle hydrodynamic (SPH) experiments of potential satellite-forming impacts. The relationship is used to interpret and summarize data from 41 such SPH simulations, all employing an impactor-to-target mass ratio of 3:7, but with a variety of total masses and angular momenta, The results can be utilized to infer other classes of impacts beyond those simulated to date that are plausible Moon-forming candidates. (C) 2001 Academic Press.