Astro-Seminar by Arcelia Hermosillo Ruiz: Constraining Dynamical Processes in the Outer Solar System and the AU Mic Debris Disk

Orbital distributions of the small bodies in debris disks provide important information regarding the dynamical history of a planetary system.  In our solar system, Transneptunian populations–particularly those in mean motion resonance with Neptune–hint towards an early chaotic planetary migration. In extrasolar systems, dust structure hints at the presence of undetected planets and various dynamical processes.  I will discuss my PhD work in constraining the evolution of the outer solar system and investigating planet-disk interactions in the AU Mic debris disk. First, I will present published and ongoing work in constraining the migration of the giant planets in our solar system due to planetesimal-driven migration and an upheaval such as the “Nice Model.” Recent, well-characterized surveys made this work possible, providing a method to make strong statistical comparisons between Nbody simulations and observations. The upcoming Vera Rubin Observatory’s LSST will observe ~10 times more outer solar system objectsthan are currently detected, making this an exciting time to be doing this work. Lastly, I will show how an inclined, eccentric planet perturbs dust from an exterior debris disk to create dust clumps ejected primarily from one side of the disk. My Nbody simulations produce similar asymmetric, vertical structure as seen in the scattered light images of the AU Mic debris disk. This promising result motivates thesearch for a yet-undiscovered planet.