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Dynamics of the Trans-Neptune Region: Apsidal Waves in the Kuiper BeltThe role of apsidal density waves propagating in a primordial trans-Neptune disk (i.e., Kuiper belt) is investigated. It is shown that Neptune launches apsidal waves at its secular resonance near 40 AU that propagate radially outward, deeper into the particle disk. The wavelength of apsidal waves is considerably longer than waves that might be launched at Lindblad resonances, because the pattern speed, g(sub s), resulting from the apsis precession of Neptune is much slower than its mean motion, Omega(sub s). If the early Kuiper belt had a sufficient surface density, sigma, the disk's wave response to Neptune's secular perturbation would have spread the disturbing torque radially over a collective scale lambda(sub *) approx. = r(2(mu)(sub d)Omega/ absolute value of r dg/dr)(sup 1/2), where mu(sub d)equivalent pi(sigma)r(exp 2)/(1 solar mass) and Omega(r) and g(r) are respectively the mean motion and precession frequency of the disk particles. This results in considerably smaller eccentricities at resonance than had the disk particles been treated as noninteracting test particles. Consequently, particles are less apt to be excited into planet-crossing orbits, implying that the erosion timescales reported by earlier test-particle simulations of the Kuiper belt may be underestimated. It is also shown that the torque the disk exerts upon the planet (due to its gravitational attraction for the disk's spiral wave pattern) damps the planet's eccentricity and further inhibits the planet's ability to erode the disk. Key words: celestial mechanics, stellar dynamics - comets: general minor planets, asteroids
Document ID
19990008249
Acquisition Source
Headquarters
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Ward, William R.
(Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Hahn, Joseph M.
(Lunar and Planetary Inst. Houston, TX United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
July 1, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: Astronomical Journal
Publisher: American Astronomical Society
Volume: 116
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Report/Patent Number
LPI-Contrib-944
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGw-4575
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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