What question did this study set out to answer?

To present a new framework for inferring planetary histories of the Solar System through backward reconstruction.

January 14, 2026Open Access

A Coherence-Based Framework for Backward Reconstruction of Solar System Histories

Key Points

To present a new framework for inferring planetary histories of the Solar System through backward reconstruction.
Develops a coherence-based approach for reconstructing planetary histories.
Uses an ensemble-valued inverse problem to identify admissible trajectories.
Demonstrates a simulation-ready prototype to showcase the framework.
Preserves non-identifiability in historical trajectories.
Avoids artificial uniqueness in reconstruction outcomes.
Yields multiple admissible families consistent with present-day trajectories.

Abstract

This paper presents a coherence-based framework for backward reconstruction of Solar System histories. The approach reframes planetary history inference as an ensemble-valued inverse problem, identifying families of historically admissible trajectories consistent with present-day architecture and selected constraints, rather than selecting a single forward narrative. A simulation-ready prototype demonstrates that coherence-constrained backward inference preserves non-identifiability and avoids artificial uniqueness, yielding multiple admissible deep-time families under the same present constraint. The Solar System is used as a canonical reference case, positioning the framework as a diagnostic complement to forward N-body, formation, and migration simulations, and as a bridge toward comparative planetary and astrophysical applications.

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