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Context. The most accurate method for modelling planetary migration and hence the formation of resonant systems is using hydrodynamical simulations. Usually, the force (torque) acting on a planet is calculated using the forces from the gas disc and the star, while the gas accelerations are computed using the pressure gradient, the star, and the planet's gravity, ignoring its own gravity. For a nonmigrating planet the neglect of the disc gravity results in a consistent torque calculation while for a migrating case it is inconsistent. Aims. We aim to study how much this inconsistent torque calculation can affect the final configuration of a two-planet system. We focus on low-mass planets because most of the multi-planetary systems, discovered by the Kepler survey, have masses around ten Earth masses. Methods. Performing hydrodynamical simulations of planet-disc interaction, we measured the torques on non-migrating and migrating planets for various disc masses as well as density and temperature slopes with and without considering the self-gravity of the disc. Using this data, we found a relation that quantifies the inconsistency, used this relation in an N-body code, and performed an extended parameter study modelling the migration of a planetary system with different planet mass ratios and disc surface densities, to investigate the impact of the torque inconsistency on the architecture of the planetary system. Results. Not considering disc self-gravity produces an artificially larger torque on the migrating planet that can result in tighter planetary systems. The deviation of this torque from the correct value is larger in discs with steeper surface density profiles. Conclusions. In hydrodynamical modelling of multi-planetary systems, it is crucial to account for the torque correction, otherwise the results favour more packed systems. We examine two simple correction methods existing in the literature and show that they properly correct this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive stars that have been ejected from their parent cluster and supersonically sailing away through the interstellar medium (ISM) are classified as exiled. They generate circumstellar bow-shock nebulae that can be observed. We present two-dimensional, axisymmetric hydro-dynamical simulations of a representative sample of stellar wind bow shocks from Galactic OB stars in an ambient medium of densities ranging from nISM = 0.01 up to 10.0 cm-3. Independently of their location in the Galaxy, we confirm that the infrared is the most appropriated waveband to search for bow shocks from massive stars. Their spectral energy distribution is the convenient tool to analyse them since their emission does not depend on the temporary effects which could affect unstable, thin-shelled bow shocks. Our numerical models of Galactic bow shocks generated by high-mass (≈40 Mʘ) runaway stars yield H a fluxes which could be observed by facilities such as the SuperCOSMOS H-Alpha Survey. The brightest bow-shock nebulae are produced in the denser regions of the ISM. We predict that bow shocks in the field observed at H α by means of Rayleigh-sensitive facilities are formed around stars of initial mass larger than about 20 Mʘ. Our models of bow shocks from OB stars have the emission maximum in the wavelength range 3 ≤ λ ≤ 50 µm which can be up to several orders of magnitude brighter than the runaway stars themselves, particularly for stars of initial mass larger than 20 Mʘ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Disk accretion onto weakly magnetized white dwarfs (WDs) in cataclysmic variables (CVs) leads to the formation of a boundary layer (BL) between the accretion disk and the WD, where the accreted matter loses its excess kinetic energy and angular momentum. It is assumed that angular momentum is effectively transported in the BL, but the transport mechanism is still unknown. Aims. Here we compute detailed model spectra of recently published optically thick one-dimensional radial BL models and qualitatively compare them with observed soft X-ray/extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectra of dwarf novae in outburst. Methods. Every considered BL model with given effective temperature and surface density radial distribution is divided into a number of rings, and for each ring, a structure model along the vertical direction is computed using the stellar-atmosphere method. The ring spectra are then combined into a BL spectrum taking Doppler broadening and limb darkening into account. Results. Two sets of model BL spectra are computed, the first of them consists of BL models with fixed WD mass (1 M☉) and various relative WD angular velocities (0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 break-up velocities), while the other deals with a fixed relative angular velocity (0.8 break-up velocity) and various WD masses (0.8, 1, and 1.2 M☉). The model spectra show broad absorption features because of blending of numerous absorption lines, and emission-like features at spectral regions with only a few strong absorption lines. The model spectra are very similar to observed soft X-ray/EUV spectra of SS Cyg and U Gem in outburst. The observed SS Cyg spectrum could be fitted by BL model spectra with WD masses 0.8-1 M☉ and relative angular velocities 0.6-0.8 break up velocities. These BL models also reproduce the observed ratio of BL luminosity and disk luminosity. The difference between the observed and the BL model spectra is similar to a hot optically thin plasma spectrum and could be associated with the spectrum of outflowing plasma with a mass loss rate compatible with the BL mass accretion rate. Conclusions. The suggested method of computing BL spectra seems very promising and can be applied to other BL models for comparison with EUV spectra of dwarf novae in outburst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The aim of this work is to gain a deeper insight into how much different aggregate types are afected by erosion. Especially, it is important to study the influence of the velocity of the impacting projectiles. We also want to provide models for dust growth in protoplanetary disks with simple recipes to account for erosion effects. Methods. To study the erosion of dust aggregates we employed a molecular dynamics approach that features a detailed micro-physical model of the interaction of spherical grains. For the first time, the model has been extended by introducing a new visco-elastic damping force, which requires a proper calibration. Afterwards, different sample generation methods were used to cover a wide range of aggregate types. Results. The visco-elastic damping force introduced in this work turns out to be crucial to reproduce results obtained from laboratory experiments. After proper calibration, we find that erosion occurs for impact velocities of 5 ms-1 and above. Though fractal aggregates as formed during the first growth phase are most susceptible to erosion, we observe erosion of aggregates with rather compact surfaces as well. Conclusions. We find that bombarding a larger target aggregate with small projectiles results in erosion for impact velocities as low as a few ms-1. More compact aggregates suffer less from erosion. With increasing projectile size the transition from accretion to erosion is shifted to higher velocities. This allows larger bodies to grow through high velocity collisions with smaller aggregates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Within the sequential accretion scenario of planet formation, planets are built up through a sequence of sticking collisions. The outcome of collisions between porous dust aggregates is very important for the growth from very small dust particles to planetesimals. In this work we determine the necessary material properties of dust aggregates as a function of porosity. Aims. Continuum models such as SPH that are capable of simulating collisions of macroscopic dust aggregates require a set of material parameters. Some of them, such as the tensile and shear strength, are difficult to obtain from laboratory experiments. The aim of this work is to determine these parameters from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Methods. We simulated the behavior of porous dust aggregates using a detailed micro-physical model of the interaction of spherical grains that includes adhesion forces, rolling, twisting, and sliding. Using different methods of preparing the samples, we studied the strength behavior of our samples with varying porosity and coordination number of the material. Results. For the tensile strength, we can reproduce data from laboratory experiments very well. For the shear strength, there are no experimental data available. The results from our simulations differ significantly from previous theoretical models, which indicates that the latter might not be sufficient to describe porous dust aggregates. Conclusions. We have provided the functional behavior of tensile and shear strength of porous dust aggregates as a function of the porosity, which can be directly applied to continuum simulations of these objects in planet formation scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Bouncing collisions of dust aggregates within the protoplanetary disk may have a significant impact on the growth process of planetesimals. Yet, the conditions that result in bouncing are not very well understood. Existing simulations studying the bouncing behavior used aggregates with an artificial, very regular internal structure. Aims. Here, we study the bouncing behavior of sub-mm dust aggregates that are constructed applying different sample preparation methods. We analyze how the internal structure of the aggregate alters the collisional outcome and we determine the influence of aggregate size, porosity, collision velocity, and impact parameter. Methods. We use molecular dynamics simulations where the individual aggregates are treated as spheres that are made up of several hundred thousand individual monomers. The simulations are run on graphic cards (GPUs). Results. Statistical bulk properties and thus bouncing behavior of sub-mm dust aggregates depend heavily on the preparation method. In particular, there is no unique relation between the average volume filling factor and the coordination number of the aggregate. Realistic aggregates bounce only if their volume filling factor exceeds 0.5 and collision velocities are below 0:1 ms-1. Conclusions. For dust particles in the protoplanetary nebula we suggest that the bouncing barrier may not be such a strong handicap in the growth phase of dust agglomerates, at least in the size range of μ100 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. In 2D-simulations of thin gaseous disks with embedded planets or self-gravity the gravitational potential needs to be smoothed to avoid singularities in the numerical evaluation of the gravitational potential or force. The softening prescription used in 2D needs to be adjusted properly to correctly resemble the realistic case of vertically extended 3D disks. Aims. We analyze the embedded planet and the self-gravity case and provide a method to evaluate the required smoothing in 2D simulations of thin disks. Methods. Starting from the averaged hydrodynamic equations and using a vertically isothermal disk model, we calculated the force to be used in 2D simulations.We compared our results to the often used Plummer form of the potential, which runs as ∝1/(r2 + ϵ2)1/2. For that purpose we computed the required smoothing length ϵ as a function of distance r to the planet or to a disk element within a self-gravitating disk. Results. We find that for longer distances ϵ is determined solely by the vertical disk thickness H. For the planet case we find that outside r ≈ H a value of ϵ = 0.7H describes the averaged force very well, while in the self-gravitating disk the value needs to be higher, ϵ = 1.2H. For shorter distances the smoothing needs to be reduced significantly. Comparing torque densities of 3D and 2D simulations we show that the modification to the vertical density stratification as induced by an embedded planet needs to be taken into account to obtain agreeing results. Conclusions. It is very important to use the correct value of ϵ in 2D simulations to obtain a realistic outcome. In disk fragmentation simulations the choice of ϵ can determine whether a disk will fragment or not. Because a wrong smoothing length can change even the direction of migration, it is very important to include the effect of the planet on the local scale height in 2D planet-disk simulations. We provide an approximate and fast method for this purpose that agrees very well with full 3D simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The early planetesimal growth proceeds through a sequence of sticking collisions of dust agglomerates. Very uncertain is still the relative velocity regime in which growth rather than destruction can take place. The outcome of a collision depends on the bulk properties of the porous dust agglomerates. Aims. Continuum models of dust agglomerates require a set of material parameters that are often difficult to obtain from laboratory experiments. Here, we aim at determining those parameters from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Our goal is to improve on the existing model that describe the interaction of individual monomers. Methods. We use a molecular dynamics approach featuring a detailed micro-physical model of the interaction of spherical grains. The model includes normal forces, rolling, twisting and sliding between the dust grains. We present a new treatment of wall-particle interaction that allows us to perform customized simulations that directly correspond to laboratory experiments. Results. We find that the existing interaction model by Dominik & Tielens leads to a too soft compressive strength behavior for uniand omni-directional compression. Upon making the rolling and sliding coefficients stiffer we find excellent agreement in both cases. Additionally, we find that the compressive strength curve depends on the velocity with which the sample is compressed. Conclusions. The modified interaction strengths between two individual dust grains will lead to a different behavior of the whole dust agglomerate. This will influences the sticking probabilities and hence the growth of planetesimals. The new parameter set might possibly lead to an enhanced sticking as more energy can be stored in the system before breakup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. As of today, over 50 planetary systems have been discovered in binary star systems, some of which have binary separations that are smaller than 20AU. In these systems the gravitational forces from the binary have a strong influence on the evolution of the protoplanetary disk and hence the planet formation process. Aims. We study the evolution of viscous and radiative circumstellar disks under the influence of a companion star. We focus on the eccentric γ Cephei and α Centauri system as examples and compare disk quantities such as disk eccentricity and precession rate to previous isothermal simulations. Methods. We performed two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations of the binary star systems under the assumption of coplanarity of the disk, host star and binary companion. We used the grid-based, staggered mesh code FARGO with an additional energy equation to which we added radiative cooling based on opacity tables. Results. The eccentric binary companion perturbs the disk around the primary star periodically. Upon passing periastron, spirals arms are induced that wind from the outer disk towards the star. In isothermal simulations this results in disk eccentricities up to edisk ≈ 0.2, but in more realistic radiative models we obtain much smaller eccentricities of about edisk ≈ 0.04-0.06 with no real precession. Models with varying viscosity and disk mass indicate that disks with less mass have lower temperatures and higher disk eccentricity. Conclusions. The fairly high disk eccentricities, as indicated in previous isothermal disk simulations, implied a more difficult planet formation in the γ Cephei system caused by the enhanced collision velocities of planetesimals. We have shown that under more realistic conditions with radiative cooling the disk becomes less eccentric and thus planet formation may be made easier. However, we estimate that the viscosity in the disk has to very low, with α ≲ 0.001, because otherwise the disk's lifetime will be too short to allow planet formation to occur along the core instability scenario. We estimate that the periodic heating of the disk in eccentric binaries will be observable in the mid-IR regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]