Dynamical influence of a proto-Jupiter on a disc of colliding planetesimals

A three dimensional simulation of a perturbed disc of test particles having mutual dissipative collisions has been performed in order to study the dyn amical effect of an early proto-Jupiter on a disc of planetesimals in the i nner solar system. A collisional diffusion mechanism has been identified: s uccessive collisions propagate and redistribute the strong perturbations cr eated at resonant regions far away from the resonances. The system tends to wards a quasi-equilibrium state which is reached in a time scale of the ord er of 5 x 10(5) years. For a massive proto-Jupiter of 10(-3) M. the final p erturbed region extends from 1.8 to 5 AU. In this area relative velocities are high enough to inhibit the accretion of km-sized bodies. (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.