The effect of dynamical friction on orbits - The case of a particle orbiting a central point mass embedded in a massless stellar system

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (1) References (4) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The effect of dynamical friction on orbits - The case of a particle orbiting a central point mass embedded in a massless stellar system Hoffer, J. B. Abstract The effects of dynamical friction on the orbit of a particle about a central, massive object are both analytically and numerically investigated. It is assumed that the constant-density stellar background providing the friction has no local velocity dispersion and does not contribute to the central force keeping the particle in orbit. After reducing the equations of motion for the system to a single-parameter form, approximate expressions relating the semimajor axis of the decaying circular orbit and time are found for both nonrotating and rotating stellar systems. The general validity of these relations is later supported by computer solution of the equations of motion for several circular and eccentric cases. It is found also with the aid of a computer that the circular orbit is unstable for these cases; noncircular orbits become more eccentric with time. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: February 1985 DOI: 10.1086/162878 Bibcode: 1985ApJ...289..193H Keywords: Celestial Mechanics; Orbital Mechanics; Stellar Motions; Stellar Systems; Computational Astrophysics; Eccentric Orbits; Rotation; Astronomy full text sources ADS |