Planetary dynamics in collisional particle disks

Zhao Sun, Purple Mountain Observatory
Advisor: Eugene Chiang, Berkeley

Abstract: A simple, fast algorithm which simulates collisions between inelastic particles in an optically thin disk orbiting a central mass is implemented to the N-body simulation code MERCURY. The hybrid symplectic integrator is used to simulate a moonlet in the Saturn ring scenario, and produced a propeller structure around the moonlet which opens a partial gap in the ring.

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