Unraveling the mysteries of small-body ring systems through numerical modeling

Planetary Science Institute, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

Researchers from the Planetary Science Institute seek to characterize the ring systems around small solar system bodies, such as Centaurs and Kuiper Belt Objects. The objective is to understand how they are maintained, given that ring material tends to spread over time. The results of this study could be used to improve understanding of other, larger ring systems. The research team will also develop pedagogical modules for grade 7-9 teachers on rings of the solar system, and they will participate in Girls Camp in South Africa promoting STEM careers. This project aims to understand and identify the fundamental physics at play in the maintenance of these ring systems. Specifically, the goals are to (1) confirm whether a shepherd moon can confine material as observed at Chariklo and Chiron, including constraining the moon’s size and location; (2) discover the mechanisms and underlying causes of unusual structures or features observed in rings around Chariklo; and (3) parameterize the required conditions (including nucleus size, shape, and spin rate) for rings to be stable around small, axisymmetric bodies. The project team plans to carry out N-body simulations of ring particles moving past a satellite using a model previously developed for the study of Saturn and modified for small bodies. Model results will be verified with existing data from stellar occultations and other observations of Chariklo and Chiron. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.