Secular Eccentricity Oscillations in Axisymmetric Disks of Eccentric Orbits

TL;DR

This paper studies how massive bodies in axisymmetric disks experience eccentricity oscillations driven by secular torques, with potential implications for astrophysical phenomena like black hole feeding and white dwarf pollution.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of secular eccentricity oscillations in axisymmetric disks and explores their relevance to astrophysical systems beyond the Solar System.

Findings

Eccentricity oscillations are driven by secular torques seeking to equalize precession rates.

Oscillation timescales are too long for Solar System objects to be significant.

Potential relevance for supermassive black hole feeding and white dwarf surface pollution.

Abstract

Massive bodies undergo orbital eccentricity oscillations when embedded in an axisymmetric disk of smaller mass orbits. These eccentricity oscillations are driven by secular torques that seek to equalize the apsidal precession rates of all the orbits in the disk. We investigate this mechanism within the context of detached objects in the outer Solar System, but we find that the oscillation timescale is too long for it to be dynamically important. It could however be interesting for phenomenon a bit farther from home; namely, feeding supermassive blackholes and polluting the surfaces of white dwarf stars.