Collisional family

In astronomy, a collisional family is a group of objects that are thought to have a common origin in an impact (collision). They have similar compositions and most share similar orbital elements.

Diagram showing the similarities between the satellites of each of the outer groups of Jovian moons

Known or suspected collisional families include numerous asteroid families,^[1][2][3][4] most of the irregular moons of the outer planets, the Earth and the Moon,^[5] and the dwarf planets Pluto, Eris, and Haumea and their respective moons.

See also

• Satellite collision
• Origin of the Moon