Open AccessThe formation of an eccentric gap in a gas disc by a planet in an eccentric orbit
Author(s) -
Hosseinbor A. Pasha,
Edgar Richard G.,
Quillen Alice C.,
LaPage Amanda
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.11832.x
Subject(s) - physics , planet , eccentricity (behavior) , orbital eccentricity , eccentric , orbit (dynamics) , circular orbit , giant planet , radius , astronomy , astrophysics , planetary system , aerospace engineering , engineering , quantum mechanics , political science , law , computer security , computer science
We investigate the effect of a planet on an eccentric orbit on a two‐dimensional low‐mass gaseous disc. At a planet eccentricity above the planet's Hill radius divided by its semimajor axis, we find that the disc morphology differs from that exhibited by a disc containing a planet in a circular orbit. An eccentric gap is created with eccentricity that can exceed the planet's eccentricity and precesses with respect to the planet's orbit. We find that a more massive planet is required to open a gap when the planet is on an eccentric orbit. We attribute this behaviour to spiral density waves excited at corotation resonances by the eccentric planet. These act to increase the disc's eccentricity and exert a torque opposite in sign to that exerted by the Lindblad resonances. The reduced torque makes it more difficult for waves driven by the planet to overcome viscous inflow in the disc.