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Citation
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HERO ID
564812
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Planetesimal capture in the disk instability model
Author(s)
Helled, R; Podolak, M; Kovetz, A
Year
2006
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Icarus
ISSN:
0019-1035
EISSN:
1090-2643
Volume
185
Issue
1
Page Numbers
64-71
DOI
10.1016/j.icarus.2006.06.011
Abstract
We follow the contraction and evolution of a typical Jupiter-mass clump created by the disk instability mechanism, and compute the rate of planetesimal capture during this evolution. We show that such a clump has a slow contraction phase lasting ~3×105 yr. By following the trajectories of planetesimals as they pass through the envelope of the protoplanet, we compute the cross-section for planetesimal capture at all stages of the protoplanet's evolution. We show that the protoplanet can capture a large fraction of the solid material in its feeding zone, which will lead to an enrichment of the protoplanet in heavy elements. The exact amount of this enrichment depends upon, but is not very sensitive to the size and random speed of the planetesimals.
Keywords
Accretion; Jupiter; Planetary formation
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