Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Exterior Giant Planet Effects On Terrestrial Architecture, Anna Corinne Childs

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Terrestrial planet formation is a chaotic and violent process which is not fully understood. Prior to Kepler, Solar System observations were the basis for planet formation models. How- ever, Kepler observations have shown that exoplanet systems are very different from our solar system, thus requiring a more complete planet formation model. With advancements in com- putational ability, N-body integrators, and collision models, we can explore planet formation by experimenting with simulations in different parameter space. Our Solar System has shown us that exterior giant planets can play a vital role in the shaping of the final terrestrial planet system. Our …