Origin and Evolution of Long-period Comets
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11320%2F19%3A10405393" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11320/19:10405393 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=ApzCJ1Yktq" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=ApzCJ1Yktq</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ab13aa" target="_blank" >10.3847/1538-3881/ab13aa</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Origin and Evolution of Long-period Comets
Original language description
We develop an evolutionary model of the long-period comet (LPC) population, starting from their birthplace in a massive trans-Neptunian disk that was dispersed by migrating giant planets. Most comets that remain bound to the solar system are stored in the Oort cloud. Galactic tides and passing stars make some of these bodies evolve into observable comets in the inner solar system. Our approach models each step in a full-fledged numerical framework. Subsequent analysis consists of applying plausible fading models and computing the original orbits to compare with observations. Our results match the observed semimajor axis distribution of LPCs when Whipple's power-law fading scheme with an exponent kappa = 0.6(-0.2)(+0.1) is adopted. The cumulative perihelion (q) distribution is well fit by a linear increase plus a weak quadratic term. Beyond q =15 au, however, the population increases steeply, and the isotropy of LPC orbital planes breaks. We find tentative evidence from the perihelion distribution of LPCs that the returning comets are depleted in supervolatiles and become active due to water ice sublimation for q <= 3 au. Using an independent calibration of the population of the initial disk, our predicted LPC flux is smaller than observations suggest by a factor of similar or equal to 2. Current data only characterize comets from the outer Oort cloud (semimajor axes greater than or similar to 10(4) au). A true boost in understanding the Oort cloud's structure should result from future surveys when they detect LPCs with perihelia beyond 15 au. Our results provide observational predictions of what can be expected from these new data.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10308 - Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/GA18-06083S" target="_blank" >GA18-06083S: Evolution of solid bodies in protoplanetary disks and during collisions</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2019
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
The Astronomical Journal
ISSN
0004-6256
e-ISSN
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Volume of the periodical
157
Issue of the periodical within the volume
5
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
27
Pages from-to
181
UT code for WoS article
000465597400001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85067380684