Bending waves and orbital inclinations

Abstract

Disk tides may play an important role in the formation of a planetary system. Modification of protoplanet semi-major axes and eccentricities through density waves was suggested and calculations of linear and non-linear protoplanet-nebula interactions were carried out by a number of researchers. The possible significance of radial drift to the accretion process was discussed, while the evolution of orbital eccentricities was studied for a perturber orbiting external to a ring and for a perturber embedded in the ring. The possible importance of bending waves to the early evolution of protoplanet inclinations is described.