New methods for large dynamical range problems in planetary formation

Abstract

Modern N-body techniques for planetary dynamics are generally based on symplectic algorithms specially adapted to the Kepler problem. These methods have proven very useful in studying planet formation, but typically require the timestep for all objects to be set to a small fraction of the orbital period of the innermost body. This computational expense can be prohibitive for even moderate particle number for many physically interesting scenarios, such as recent models of the formation of hot exoplanets, in which the semimajor axis of possible progenitors can vary by orders of magnitude. We present new methods which retain most of the benefits of the standard symplectic integrators but allow for radial zones with distinct timesteps. These approaches should make simulations of planetary accretion with large dynamical range tractable. As proof of concept we present preliminary science results from an implementation of the algorithm as applied to an oligarchic migration scenario for forming hot Neptunes.

17 pages, 17 figures. Accepted to MNRAS. Minor copyedits made

References in corpus (8)

• A Neptune-Mass Planet Orbiting the Nearby M Dwarf GJ 436
• Migration and the formation of systems of hot super-Earths and Neptunes
• Oligarchic growth of giant planets
• Long-term planetary integration with individual time steps
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Cited by in corpus (10)

• Planet-disk interaction and orbital evolution
• On the formation of planetary systems via oligarchic growth in thermally evolving viscous discs
• Hot super-Earths and giant planet cores from different migration histories
• On the formation of hot Neptunes and super-Earths
• On the formation of compact planetary systems via concurrent core accretion and migration
• Global models of planetary system formation in radiatively-inefficient protoplanetary discs
• The Role of Disc Self-Gravity in Circumbinary Planet Systems: I. Disc Structure and Evolution
• A Symplectic Integrator for Hill's Equations
• Decreasing Computing Time with Symplectic Correctors in Adaptive Timestepping Routines
• On the Formation of Super-Earths with Implications for the Solar System