CAREER: Orbital Dynamics of Solar System Dust

研究目标集中在了解太阳系中微米到毫米大小的尘埃的起源和演变。目前行星周围和行星际空间中尘埃物质的分布是许多动力学过程微妙平衡的结果。微米和毫米大小的尘埃颗粒产生，它们的轨道演变，它们在很短的时间内被摧毁。通过分析、解释和模拟尤利西斯号、伽利略号和卡西尼号航天器上的尘埃探测器提供的详细撞击数据，可以深入了解这些基本过程。特别是，这项研究的目标是利用这些独特的数据集：1)发现木星附近有趣的尘埃流的来源；2)更新和加强动力学方面的论点，这些论点认为土星遥远的卫星菲比的暗尘埃覆盖了土卫八的主要半球；3)描述遥远的绕行星轨道上尘埃的分布和动力学。一个多管齐下的方法，包括数据分析，分析计算和数值模拟，将应用于这些问题和其他相关的尘埃动力学。这项研究将使我们更好地了解太阳系的许多基本特征，并将突出塑造我们今天的太阳系的重要过程。此外，由于目前对尘埃起作用的大多数过程在早期太阳系中也很重要，因此这项调查的结果将有助于阐明行星形成的各个方面。该提案的教育部分描述了将轨道动力学探索带入本科课堂的创新方法。行星的轨道运动、它们的卫星、人造卫星和行星飞船一直是吸引各个年龄段学生的话题。学生们也对计算机的使用以及互联网和万维网上的信息很感兴趣。这些主题的内在吸引力将通过设计和实现易于使用的交互式计算机程序来教授轨道运动的基本原理，从而引起学生的兴趣。根据以往在课堂环境中设置和使用这些互动程序的经验，并根据“主动学习”的经过验证的原则和方法，将为各级本科生设计创新的课堂练习。天文学高级本科专业的习题旨在让学生了解科学探究的方法和正在进行的研究的各个方面。这些练习还将为学生提供测试和更好地理解重要解析推导的方法，并允许他们独立探索自己对轨道动力学的兴趣。为大型天文学入门课程设计的练习将强调科学探究的精神，并将设计用于解决学生传统上难以掌握的概念。这些课程将在万维网上提供，这为学生提供了无与伦比的访问机会。此外，这些程序将是独立于计算机平台的，这将使学生专注于天文问题，而不是计算机语言和/或操作系统。这些非常理想的特性将允许PI设计有效的教学工具用于本科课堂。＊＊＊

9733789 Hamilton The research goals are focused on understanding the origin and evolution of micron to millimeter sized dust in the solar system. The current distribution of dusty material around planets and in interplanetary space is a result of the delicate balance of many dynamical processes. Micron and millimeter sized dust grains are created, their orbits evolve, and they are destroyed on very short timescales. Insight into these fundamental processes can be gained by analyzing, interpreting, and modeling the detailed impact data from the dust detectors aboard the Ulysses, Galileo, and Cassini spacecraft. In particular, the objectives of this research are to use these unique data sets to: 1) discover the source of the intriguing dust streams near Jupiter; 2) modernize and strengthen dynamical arguments which suggest that dark dust from Saturn's distant satellite Phoebe coats Iapetus' leading hemisphere; and 3) characterize the distribution and dynamics of dust in distant circumplanetary orbits. A multipronged approach, which includes data analysis, analytical calculations, and numerical simulations, will be applied to these and other related problems in dust dynamics. This study will lead to an improved understanding of many fundamental features of the solar system, and will highlight the important processes active in shaping our solar system today. Moreover, since most of the processes currently acting on dust were also important in the early solar system, the results of this investigation will help clarify aspects of planetary formation. The educational component of this proposal describes innovative ways to bring the exploration of orbital dynamics into the undergraduate classroom. The orbital motions of the planets, their moons, artificial satellites, and planetary spacecraft are topics that continue to fascinate students of all ages. Students are also intrigued by the use of computers and the information on the Internet and the World Wide Web. The intrinsic appeal of t hese topics will be used to interest students by designing and implementing easy-to use interactive computer programs to teach the fundamentals of orbital motion. Drawing upon previous experience in setting up and using several of these interactive programs in a classroom environment, and upon the proven principles and methods of' active learning, innovative class exercises for undergraduate students at all levels will be designed. Exercises for upper level undergraduate Astronomy majors will be designed to expose students to the methods of scientific inquiry and to aspects of ongoing research. The exercises will also provide ways for students to test and to better appreciate important analytic derivations, and will allow them to explore their own interests in orbital dynamics independently. Exercises intended for large introductory Astronomy classes will emphasize the spirit of scientific inquiry and will be designed to address concepts that students traditionally have difficulty grasping. The programs will be available on the World Wide Web, which offers unbeatable access for students. In addition, the programs will be computer platform independent, which will allow students to focus on astronomical issues rather than on computer languages and/or operating systems. These highly desirable properties will allow the PI to design effective teaching tools for use in undergraduate classrooms. ***