Rory Hopkins edited Introduction.tex  over 8 years ago

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Since the Cold Classical Kuiper Belt Objects (CCKBOs) presumably are only affected by self-scattering, by understanding that process it would be possible to simulate these objects over the age of the Solar System to see if that alone can reproduce the observed orbital properties of CCKBOs. The process in question is the combined effect of Viscous Stirring and Dynamical Friction.  Viscous Stirring(VS)  involves multiple encounters of multiple objects over time, which lead to a wider spread of velocity distribution, which leads to an increase of eccentricity and inclination of objects. Dynamical Friction(DF)  involves gravitational encounters with masses of different velocities. Large mass objects are dragged by low mass objects, while low mass objects are gravitationally assisted by large mass objects. DF leads to a general decrease of velocity for large masses and an increase for low masses. Ohtsuki & Stewart (2002, Icarus 155, 436-453, hereafter O&S) obtained evolution rates of eccentricity and inclination using Viscous Stirring and Dynamical Friction rates