Secular Eccentricity Oscillations in Axisymmetric Disks of Eccentric Orbits

Massive bodies undergo orbital eccentricity oscillations when embedded in an axisymmetric disk of smaller mass orbits. These eccentricity oscillations are driven by secular torques that seek to equalize the apsidal precession rates of all the orbits in the disk. We investigate this mechanism within...

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Published inThe Astronomical journal Vol. 159; no. 1; pp. 20 - 28
Main Authors Fleisig, Jacob, Zderic, Alexander, Madigan, Ann-Marie
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Madison The American Astronomical Society 01.01.2020
IOP Publishing
Subjects
Astronomy
ASTROPHYSICS, COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
AXIAL SYMMETRY
BLACK HOLES
Celestial mechanics
Disks
Dwarf stars
Eccentric orbits
Kuiper belt
MASS
Minor planets
ORBITS
OSCILLATIONS
Outer solar system
Solar oscillations
SOLAR SYSTEM
Supermassive black holes
Trans-Neptunian objects
WHITE DWARF STARS
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Summary:Massive bodies undergo orbital eccentricity oscillations when embedded in an axisymmetric disk of smaller mass orbits. These eccentricity oscillations are driven by secular torques that seek to equalize the apsidal precession rates of all the orbits in the disk. We investigate this mechanism within the context of detached objects in the outer solar system, but we find that the oscillation timescale is too long for it to be dynamically important. It could however be interesting for phenomenon a bit farther from home, namely, feeding supermassive black holes and polluting the surfaces of white dwarf stars.
Bibliography:AAS18947
The Solar System, Exoplanets, and Astrobiology
ISSN:0004-6256
1538-3881
1538-3881
DOI:10.3847/1538-3881/ab54c0