The formation of an eccentric gap in a gas disc by a planet in an eccentric orbit

Abstract

We investigate the effect of a planet on an eccentric orbit on a two-dimensional low-mass gaseous disc. At a planet eccentricity above the planet's Hill radius divided by its semimajor axis, we find that the disc morphology differs from that exhibited by a disc containing a planet in a circular orbit. An eccentric gap is created with eccentricity that can exceed the planet's eccentricity and precesses with respect to the planet's orbit. We find that a more massive planet is required to open a gap when the planet is on an eccentric orbit. We attribute this behaviour to spiral density waves excited at corotation resonances by the eccentric planet. These act to increase the disc's eccentricity and exert a torque opposite in sign to that exerted by the Lindblad resonances. The reduced torque makes it more difficult for waves driven by the planet to overcome viscous inflow in the disc. © 2007 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2007 RAS.