Kuiper Belt evolution due to dynamical friction
نویسنده
چکیده
In this paper we study the role of dynamical friction on the evolution of a population of large objects (m > 10 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 nonspherically symmetric distribution of matter in the Kuiper Belt. Moreover the dynamical drag, produced by dynamical friction, causes objects of masses ≥ 10g to lose angular momentum and to fall through more central regions in a timescale ≈ 10yr. This mechanism is able to transport inwards objects of the size of Pluto, supposing it was created beyond 50AU, according to a Stern & Colwell’s (1997b) suggestion.
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