arXiv subjects

Silvia M. Giuliatti Winter

Publications and source records attributed to Silvia M. Giuliatti Winter.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Dynamical formation of long-period exoplanets systems in evolving binary stars

The dynamical formation and evolution of long-period giant exoplanets have not been well constrained due to the few observational parameters. In this study, we explore the dynamical effects in a multi-planetary system around one star of an evolving wide binary system. We used an interpolated result of a MESA stellar evolution inside REBOUND N-body integrations to perform simulations with a range of distinct planetary masses in a circumstellar configuration (S-type orbit), centered on a primary star that evolves from the main sequence star to a white dwarf. Control simulations without stellar evolution were performed to isolate the effects of mass loss. Although few exoplanets are currently known to possess long-period and moderate eccentricities, we investigated the evolution mechanisms of long-period gas giants within this specific regime. Although these exoplanets often remain undetected due to their wide orbits and long periods, we propose that their formation pathways are robust throughout the evolution of binary systems. We also simulated an evolved single star in a multi-planetary system and concluded that the secondary star made the exoplanets more unstable and concentrated the survivors within a semi-major axis of 50 au.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2026

Dynamical implications of the recently detected feature around Quaoar and constraints on the presence of additional satellites

A recently reported opaque feature in the Quaoar system, detected during the 25 June 2025 stellar occultation, has been interpreted as either a 15 km-radius satellite or a dense, sharp-edged arc orbiting at about 5600-5900 km. Here, we investigate both scenarios through numerical integrations that include Quaoar, its triaxial shape, and Weywot. If the feature is a satellite, stability maps show that it acquires a forced eccentricity of about 0.002 and has only a minor dynamical effect on the Q1R and Q2R rings. Its main effect is to clear a narrow region around its orbit, associated with the overlap of mean-motion resonances, preventing the long-term survival of kilometre-scale moons within approximately one Quaoar radius of the satellite. If instead the feature is an arc, we test confinement around the triangular equilibrium point of an unseen coorbital satellite. While azimuthal confinement is readily obtained for satellites with satellite-to-primary mass ratios up to 0.001, Weywot's secular perturbation induces large radial excursions in the arc particles, preventing reproduction of the observed radial extent. The required radial confinement is achieved only for confiners comparable to or more massive than Weywot, which would likely be detectable by direct imaging. We therefore disfavour triangular-point confinement as an explanation for a long-lived dense arc and argue that the feature is more dynamically consistent with a satellite. We identify broad stable zones where additional undetected moons could reside, including near the rings as possible shepherd moons. Furthermore, Quaoar's ellipticity alone is sufficient to induce non-resonant orbital excitation capable of preventing ring coagulation, an effect that may be enhanced by small moons near the rings.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2021

Building the Galilean moons system via pebble accretion and migration: A primordial resonant chain

The origins of the Galilean satellites - namely Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto - is not fully understood yet. Here we use N-body numerical simulations to study the formation of Galilean satellites in a gaseous circumplanetary disk around Jupiter. Our model includes the effects of pebble accretion, gas-driven migration, and gas tidal damping and drag. Satellitesimals in our simulations first grow via pebble accretion and start to migrate inwards. When they reach the trap at the disk inner edge, scattering events and collisions take place promoting additional growth. Growing satellites eventually reach a multi-resonant configuration anchored at the disk inner edge. Our best match to the masses of the Galilean satellites is produced in simulations where the integrated pebble flux is 1e-3 MJ. These simulations typically produce between 3 and 5 satellites. In our best analogues, adjacent satellite pairs are all locked in 2:1 mean motion resonances. However, they have also moderately eccentric orbits (0.1), unlike the current real satellites. We propose that the Galilean satellites system is a primordial resonant chain, similar to exoplanet systems as TRAPPIST-1, Kepler-223, and TOI-178. Callisto was probably in resonance with Ganymede in the past but left this configuration - without breaking the Laplacian resonance - via divergent migration due to tidal planet-satellite interactions. These same effects further damped the orbital eccentricities of these satellites down to their current values (0.001). Our results support the hypothesis that Io and Europa were born with water-ice rich compositions and lost all/most of their water afterwards. Firmer constraints on the primordial compositions of the Galilean satellites are crucial to distinguish formation models.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2018

Particles co-orbital to Janus and Epimetheus: a firefly planetary ring

The Cassini spacecraft found a new and unique ring that shares the trajectory of Janus and Epimetheus, co-orbital satellites of Saturn. Performing image analysis, we found this to be a continuous ring. Its width is between 30% and 50% larger than previously announced. We also verified that the ring behaves like a firefly. It can only be seen from time to time, when Cassini, the ring and the Sun are arranged in a particular geometric configuration, in very high phase angles. Otherwise, it remains "in the dark", not visible to Cassini's cameras. Through numerical simulations, we found a very short lifetime for the ring particles, less than a couple of decades. Consequently, the ring needs to be constantly replenished. Using a model of particles production due to micrometeorites impacts on the surfaces of Janus and Epimetheus, we reproduce the ring, explaining its existence and the "firefly" behavior.

astro-ph.EP↗