Passing Stars
- When the Solar System was young it most likely was in a star cluster or association where the encounter rate was large.
- The timescale for a close encounter (few 100 AU) is about the same as lifetime of cluster (Laughlin & Adams).
- So, can a close encounter with a star explain the inclinations of the main belt?
- Ida et al. looked at this issue and found that it could work.
- They did not analysis the inclinations in detail.
- Neither did de la Fuente Marcos2.
- Our experiment:
- Calculated the effects of passing star on KB and giant planets.
- Assumed the impulse approximation.
- Varied the mass and closest approach of the star (b).
- For each M-b pair, ran 200 experiments varying the orientation.
- We can indeed produce inclinations in KB similar to what is observed.
- However, it is unlikely to get these inclinations without exciting the planetary system
- By which I mean iNep<6O and eNep<0.1.
