Abstract
Planets in extrasolar systems tend to interact such that their orbits lie near a boundary between apsidal libration and circulation, a "separatrix," with one eccentricity periodically reaching near zero. One explanation, applied to the v And system, assumed three original planets on circular orbits. One is ejected, leaving the other two with near-separatrix behavior. We test that model by integrating hundreds of hypothetical, unstable planetary systems that eject a planet. We find that the probability that the remaining planets exhibit near-separatrix motion is small (<5% compared with nearly 50% of observed systems). Moreover, while observed librating systems are evenly divided between aligned and antialigned pericenter longitudes, the scattering model strongly favors alignment. Alternative scattering theories are proposed, which may provide a more satisfactory fit with observed systems.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 659 |
| Issue number | 1 II |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 10 2007 |
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Keywords
- Methods: n-body simulations
- Planetary systems
- Planets and satellites: formation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Space and Planetary Science
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
Cite this
Apsidal behavior among planetary orbits : Testing the planet-planet scattering model. / Barnes, Rory; Greenberg, Richard J.
In: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 659, No. 1 II, 10.04.2007.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Apsidal behavior among planetary orbits
T2 - Testing the planet-planet scattering model
AU - Barnes, Rory
AU - Greenberg, Richard J.
PY - 2007/4/10
Y1 - 2007/4/10
N2 - Planets in extrasolar systems tend to interact such that their orbits lie near a boundary between apsidal libration and circulation, a "separatrix," with one eccentricity periodically reaching near zero. One explanation, applied to the v And system, assumed three original planets on circular orbits. One is ejected, leaving the other two with near-separatrix behavior. We test that model by integrating hundreds of hypothetical, unstable planetary systems that eject a planet. We find that the probability that the remaining planets exhibit near-separatrix motion is small (<5% compared with nearly 50% of observed systems). Moreover, while observed librating systems are evenly divided between aligned and antialigned pericenter longitudes, the scattering model strongly favors alignment. Alternative scattering theories are proposed, which may provide a more satisfactory fit with observed systems.
AB - Planets in extrasolar systems tend to interact such that their orbits lie near a boundary between apsidal libration and circulation, a "separatrix," with one eccentricity periodically reaching near zero. One explanation, applied to the v And system, assumed three original planets on circular orbits. One is ejected, leaving the other two with near-separatrix behavior. We test that model by integrating hundreds of hypothetical, unstable planetary systems that eject a planet. We find that the probability that the remaining planets exhibit near-separatrix motion is small (<5% compared with nearly 50% of observed systems). Moreover, while observed librating systems are evenly divided between aligned and antialigned pericenter longitudes, the scattering model strongly favors alignment. Alternative scattering theories are proposed, which may provide a more satisfactory fit with observed systems.
KW - Methods: n-body simulations
KW - Planetary systems
KW - Planets and satellites: formation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34248166087&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34248166087&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1086/516824
DO - 10.1086/516824
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:34248166087
VL - 659
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
SN - 0004-637X
IS - 1 II
ER -