Project Description: The Fomalhaut system is a rich and puzzling cosmic crime scene. Observations, including recent imaging from the James Webb Space Telescope / MIRI, reveal a cold comet belt, an asteroid belt, an exozodi, and two major collisions in the outer belt a decade apart—evidence for km-sized bodies on highly eccentric orbits.
In this project, we act as investigators, using N-body simulations to reconstruct what happened. How do unseen planets scatter exocomets inward? How do these bodies trigger collisions and dust production? By combining simulations with observations, we will “profile” the hidden planets and piece together the dynamical history of the system.
The student will gain experience in celestial mechanics, computational astrophysics, and planet–disk interactions while solving a real astrophysical mystery.
NASA Relevance: This project focuses on the transport of material within a planetary system, which includes the Habitable Zone, and is closely linked to the impact on exoplanet habitability and the formation of exozodis.
Work Description:
- Running N-body simulations, extracting results, producing plots for interpretation (UNIX, Python, Fortran)
- Reading relevant literature
- Presenting results to the team (oral+slide show)
- Participating to meetings
Open or Reserved Project: Reserved/Open, 2 positions reserved for student but mentor may be willing to work with other students if reserved students aren't selected.