Neptune Odyssey

Ice Giant Systems Seminar Series

Discussing recent developments in topics related to the Ice Giant systems.

Each seminar will host a guest speaker, followed by a lively discussion and community updates & news.

Events are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 11:00 AM ET.

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Upcoming Events

June 13, 2023 11:00 - 11:00 EDT

Ice Giant Systems Seminar Series: Dr. Matt Clement

Webinar Zoom Link

Presenter: Dr. Matt Clement (JHU/APL)
Topic: The early secular evolution of the outer solar system and the present state of the Nice Model
Abstract: In the current consensus dynamical evolutionary hypothesis for the solar system, after forming in a compact configuration of circular orbits, the giant planets acquire their modern dynamical configuration through an episode of orbital instability. Over the past two decades, numerical simulations of the so-called Nice Model have been successfully leveraged to explain numerous peculiar solar system qualities. In particular, the orbital distributions of small bodies (e.g.: asteroids, Kuiper belt objects, irregular satellites and outer solar system trojans) provide strong observational constraints that no other proposed model is capable of satisfying. I will review the current state of the Nice Model, and its important role in the early formation of Uranus and Neptune. A key constraint on instability simulations comes from Jupiter's fifth eccentric eigenmode, which is an important driver of the solar system's global evolution. Starting from commonly-assumed near-circular orbits, the present-day magnitude of this mode in Jupiter's eccentricity vector is significantly outside the range of numerically generated outcomes. I will present results motivated by modern hydrodynamical simulations of the giant planets' evolution within the primordial gaseous disk that demonstrate how the modern Jupiter-Saturn system represents a typical simulation outcome when the giant planets' orbits are initially rather eccentric, and Uranus and Neptune are not fully formed when the instability occurs. Additionally, I will highlight how Uranus' regular moons cannot survive the typical series of encounters with Pluto-mass bodies and other planets that occur during the instability. This might suggest that the Nice Model instability pre-dated the final series of impacts that generated Uranus and Neptune's obliquities. Finally, I will discuss how additional constraints from the upcoming flagship mission will be crucial for revealing the nature of the accretion of Uranus, Neptune and their moons.

Registration not yet open.

Questions? Jodi.Berdis@jhuapl.edu

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