Dynamical evolution of planetary systems with dissipation

Abstract

The aim of this project is to analyze the dynamical behavior of a planetary system which evolves under the combined actions of secular interaction and dissipative effects. We propose to contribute to the development of studies made at the group of Dynamical Astronomy of IAG-USP, including dissipative terms into the equations of motions of the bodies involved in the problem. We intend to advance in the understanding of the dynamical behavior of planetary systems in which there are energy and angular momentum dissipations. As a first experience, we consider the particular case in which the dissipation law is given by the tidal force, acting on the central star and planets. The effect of tides introduces energy dissipation in the system through the internal friction of the deformed bodies. The whole literature concerning on dynamical evolution due to tidal effects, in systems containing two planets, is slightly more than ten articles. Of these works, the most recent are consequence of the great attention paid in recent years due to the discovery of planets outside our solar system with very different properties (large planets very close to the star, high eccentricities, etc). We will solve the equations of motion of the dissipative problem, identifying new equilibrium points and periodic solutions in the phase space. The model will be tested using a standard system of two planets, with subsequent application to real systems. (AU)