Asymmetric Capture in the 2:1 Resonance

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

Dynamical characteristics of Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs) in resonance with Neptune preserve a record of events that shaped the outer solar system. In particular, the spatial distribution of 2:1 resonant KBOs reflects Neptune's migration history. Numerical simulations reveal that a faster Neptunian migration causes more 2:1 objects to be captured into libration about one libration center than about the other, with the result that up to three times more 2:1 KBOs might be discovered at longitudes trailing Neptune than leading it. This phenomenon is made possible by asymmetric libration, a hallmark of the 2:1 resonance not shared by the 3:2 resonance. We explore the dynamics of asymmetric libration analytically and provide physical, mechanistic explanations for these previous numerical findings. In the restricted 3-body problem, the perturber, Neptune, accelerates both the KBO and the Sun, contributing direct and indirect terms to the disturbing potential, respectively. The direct and indirect terms act in opposition to one another, and the balance between these perturbative effects leads to asymmetric libration. The averaged indirect potential is zero for the 3:2 resonance and thus asymmetric libration does not occur. We describe our mechanistic understanding of why, in numerical simulations that introduce a fast outward migration of Neptune, KBOs are preferentially captured around the libration center trailing Neptune. We provide a blow-by-blow account of the torques felt by a KBO near resonance to achieve a physical understanding of this asymmetry in capture outcomes.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Asymmetric Capture in the 2:1 Resonance does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Asymmetric Capture in the 2:1 Resonance, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Asymmetric Capture in the 2:1 Resonance will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1523503

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.