Interaction of planetesimals with the giant planets and the shaping of the trans-Neptunian belt

Abstract

The trans-Neptunian region is inhabited by multiple dynamical populations, each of which have a complicated structure. For the most part, these structures cannot have been sculpted by the giant planets, once on their current orbital configuration. Thus, they represent important clues to the conditions that existed in the distant past. We argue in this paper, that most of what we see is the result of the outward migration of Neptune. By combining results from various authors, we can reproduce most of the observed properties of the trans-Neptunian region. Several aspects are not yet totally clear, and some may not be totally correct. But, for the first time, we have a view — if not not a detailed model — of how the system formed.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html