Kuiper Belt evolution due to dynamical friction
| dc.creator | Del Popolo, A. | |
| dc.creator | Spedicato, E. | |
| dc.creator | Gambera, M. | |
| dc.date | 1999-05-03 | |
| dc.date | 1999-05-04 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-07-07T02:31:27Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-07-07T02:31:27Z | |
| dc.description | In this paper we study the role of dynamical friction on the evolution of a population of large objects ($m>10^{22}$ g) at heliocentric distances $>70$ AU in the Kuiper Belt. We show that the already flat distribution of these objects must flatten further due to non-spherically symmetric distribution of matter in the Kuiper Belt. Moreover the dynamical drag, produced by dynamical friction, causes objects of masses $\geq 10^{24} g$ to lose angular momentum and to fall through more central regions in a timescale $\approx 10^9 yr$. This mechanism is able to transport inwards objects of the size of Pluto, supposing it was created beyond 50 AU, according to a Stern & Colwell's (1997b) suggestion. | |
| dc.description | 10 pages, 4 encapsulated figures; accepted by A&A | |
| dc.identifier | https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9905014 | |
| dc.identifier | http://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9905014 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/14161 | |
| dc.subject | Astrophysics | |
| dc.title | Kuiper Belt evolution due to dynamical friction | |
| dc.type | text |