Resonant Chains versus More "Typical" Exoplanetary Systems

Event Date:
2022-04-04T15:00:00
2022-04-04T16:00:00
Event Location:
Connect via zoom
Speaker:
Daniel Fabrycky (U Chicago)
Related Upcoming Events:
Intended Audience:
Undergraduate
Local Contact:

Douglas Scott

Event Information:

In the field of exoplanets, the most extreme systems often capture our attention, and they teach us interesting lessons. However, statistical modeling of survey data is important too, as it identifies what are the more common processes involved in planet formation.

For some systems, three or more planets are linked by mean-motion resonances, forming a "resonant chain." The observable transit timing variations allow masses and orbital parameters to be measured to excellent precision. Their current orbits, including orbital phase information, teaches us about the interactions of planets with disks. The spreading of resonant chains from exact resonance implicates tidal dissipation in the planets.

Resonant configurations are rare in the transit survey data though, and we report methods for characterizing the more "typical" close-in exoplanetary systems. After we had gotten used to extreme orbits among exoplanetary gas giants, we found surprisingly small mutual inclinations and eccentricities of the very common close-in systems of super-earths and sub-neptunes. Despite being on sub-AU scales, these architectural properties are very similar to the Solar System. Confronting planet formation theories with all this fossil evidence is an ongoing project.

 

Add to Calendar 2022-04-04T15:00:00 2022-04-04T16:00:00 Resonant Chains versus More "Typical" Exoplanetary Systems Event Information: In the field of exoplanets, the most extreme systems often capture our attention, and they teach us interesting lessons. However, statistical modeling of survey data is important too, as it identifies what are the more common processes involved in planet formation. For some systems, three or more planets are linked by mean-motion resonances, forming a "resonant chain." The observable transit timing variations allow masses and orbital parameters to be measured to excellent precision. Their current orbits, including orbital phase information, teaches us about the interactions of planets with disks. The spreading of resonant chains from exact resonance implicates tidal dissipation in the planets. Resonant configurations are rare in the transit survey data though, and we report methods for characterizing the more "typical" close-in exoplanetary systems. After we had gotten used to extreme orbits among exoplanetary gas giants, we found surprisingly small mutual inclinations and eccentricities of the very common close-in systems of super-earths and sub-neptunes. Despite being on sub-AU scales, these architectural properties are very similar to the Solar System. Confronting planet formation theories with all this fossil evidence is an ongoing project.   Event Location: Connect via zoom