Thesis

Dynamics of the Uranian system

• Call:

  IDPASC Portugal - PHD Programme 2019

• Academic Year:

  2019 / 2020

• Domain:

  Astrophysics

• Supervisor:

  Alexandre Correia

• Co-Supervisor:

• Institution:

  Universidade de Coimbra

• Host Institution:

  Universidade de Coimbra

• Abstract:

  Uranus is the most mysterious planet in the Solar System. In part because it is difficult to observe and only received the visit of one spacecraft. However, the truly intriguing features are related to dynamical aspects that challenge all the established formation mechanisms. In particular, that the spin axis of Uranus is tilted by 98 degrees, some of the satellites are highly cratered and others not, their orbits are very compact and have no resonant pairs, or the rings that do not completely encircle the planet. All these observations are probably related, but so far all the attempts to understand them were studied separately and never come up with a satisfactory answer. In this PhD thesis we try to address all these questions as a whole. We rely on new dynamical approaches developed to the study of exoplanets, together with modern computers that allow to model more detailed and realistic scenarios.