Kuiper Belt evolution due to dynamical friction
Del Popolo, A. · Spedicato, E. · Gambera, M.
Original · EN
In this paper we study the role of dynamical friction on the evolution of a population of large objects (m>10²² 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 non-spherically symmetric distribution of matter in the Kuiper Belt. Moreover the dynamical drag, produced by dynamical friction, causes objects of masses ≥ 10²⁴ g to lose angular momentum and to fall through more central regions in a timescale ≈ 10⁹ yr. This mechanism is able to transport inwards objects of the size of Pluto, supposing it was created beyond 50 AU, according to a Stern & Colwell's (1997b) suggestion.
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