Self-consistent Spin, Tidal, and Dynamical Equations of Motion in the REBOUNDx Framework
Tiger Lu, Hanno Rein, Daniel Tamayo, Sam Hadden, Rosemary A. Mardling, Sarah Millholland, Gregory Laughlin
Abstract
Abstract We introduce self-consistent spin, tidal, and dynamical equations of motion into REBOUNDx , a library of additional effects for the popular N -body integrator REBOUND . The equations of motion used are derived from the constant time lag approximation to the equilibrium tide model of tidal friction. These effects will allow the study of a variety of systems of which the full dynamical picture cannot be encapsulated by point particle dynamics. We provide several test cases and benchmark the code’s performance against analytic predictions. The open-source code is available in the most recent release of REBOUNDx .
Topics & Concepts
PhysicsEquations of motionClassical mechanicsTest particleBenchmark (surveying)Motion (physics)Dynamical systems theoryConstant (computer programming)IntegratorTidal accelerationSpin (aerodynamics)LagStatistical physicsAstrophysicsQuantum mechanicsGeodesyGeographyVoltageComputer sciencePlanetProgramming languageComputer networkThermodynamicsStellar, planetary, and galactic studiesGamma-ray bursts and supernovaeAstro and Planetary Science