Vortices in the Co-orbital Region of an Embedded Protoplanet | Zendy

J. Koller | Zendy; Hui Li | Zendy; D. N. C. Lin | Zendy

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Vortices in the Co-orbital Region of an Embedded Protoplanet

Author(s) -

J. Koller,

Hui Li,

D. N. C. Lin

Publication year - 2003

Publication title -

the astrophysical journal

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.376

H-Index - 489

eISSN - 1538-4357

pISSN - 0004-637X

DOI - 10.1086/379032

Subject(s) - vortex , planet , physics , vorticity , protoplanet , potential vorticity , inviscid flow , maxima and minima , classical mechanics , astrophysics , mechanics , mathematics , protoplanetary disk , mathematical analysis

We present global 2-D inviscid disk simulations with an embedded planet,emphasizing the non-linear dynamics in its co-orbital region. We find that thepotential vorticity of the flow in this region is not conserved due to thepresence of two spiral shocks produced by the planet. As the system evolves,the potential vorticity profile develops extrema (inflection points) whicheventually render the flow unstable. Vortices are produced in association withthe potential vorticity minima. Born in the separatrix region, these vorticesexperience close-encounters with the planet, consequently exerting strongtorques on the planet. The existence of these vortices have importantimplications on understanding the migration rates of low mass planets.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures. accepted for publication in ApJ

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