Tidal Interactions in Stars and Planets

Arras Philip L, Toronto, Ontario, M5s3h8

Investigators

Abstract

AST-0201636 Arras, Philip Dr. Arras is awarded an NSF Astronomy and Astrophysics Postdoctoral Fellowship to carry out a program of research and education at the Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB). He will conduct theoretical studies of the tidal interactions between stars and planets. His work will explore the tidal effect of the primary star on various orbiting objects: close-in extrasolar planets, Jupiter-type planets, stars which are still forming, and ordinary low-mass stars. He hopes to use his calculations to explain recent observations of extrasolar planets as well as observations of Jupiter's atmosphere. For his educational component, he will develop two new physics courses to be taught at UCSB: a graduate course on galactic dynamics, and an undergraduate course on fluid mechanics called "The Physics of California" that will apply the material to local natural phenomena such as waves and earthquakes. ***