Long-term changes to the system include collisions and crossing ring systems. |
Moons appear and disappear; rings appear and disappear. |
Now we're realizing that planetary systems are continually evolving. They change at a slower rate as they get older, but they continue to change. |
The destruction and accumulation of moons and rings is very exciting. It's showing how this system is very rapidly evolving and showing that the processes which led to the formation of the planets (are) still ongoing today. |
The solar system is not a stable and quiet place. |
This appears to be a random or chaotic process, where there is a continual exchange of energy and angular momentum between the moons. |
We don't think that is at all coincidental. |