Article, 2024

Revealing the dynamical properties of Jupiter-size exoplanets on elliptic orbits

Chaos Solitons and Fractals, ISSN 0960-0779, Volume 184, 10.1016/j.chaos.2024.114969

Contributors

Zotos E.E. 0000-0002-1565-4467 (Corresponding author) [1] [2] Moneer E.M. 0000-0002-1255-6335 [3] Dubeibe F.L. 0000-0002-0793-3255 [4] Hinse T.C. 0000-0001-8870-3146 [5]

Affiliations

  1. [1] Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
  2. [NORA names: Greece; Europe, EU; OECD];
  3. [2] RUDN University
  4. [NORA names: Russia; Europe, Non-EU];
  5. [3] Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University
  6. [NORA names: Saudi Arabia; Asia, Middle East];
  7. [4] Research Group on Reproduction and Toxicology of Aquatic Organisms - GRITOX
  8. [NORA names: Colombia; America, South; OECD];
  9. [5] University of Southern Denmark
  10. [NORA names: SDU University of Southern Denmark; University; Denmark; Europe, EU; Nordic; OECD]

Abstract

Our study delves into the orbital dynamics of an exoplanetary system, comprising a solar-mass host star, a transiting Jupiter-sized body, and an Earth-sized exoplanet. This exploration is grounded in the general three-body problem framework. We undertake a comprehensive and systematic numerical analysis of the available phase space, employing a rigorous orbit classification methodology to determine the final states and/or dynamical properties of the Earth-sized exoplanet. Our classification scheme adeptly distinguishes between three fundamental orbital outcomes: escape trajectories, collisional events, and bounded motion for the Earth-sized exoplanet. Furthermore, when the motion exhibits regularity in the Liouville sense, we categorize the initial conditions, contingent upon the characteristics of their respective trajectories. These regular orbits not only possess intriguing dynamical attributes but also provide valuable insights into phase space regions where the motion of the Earth-sized exoplanet may maintain long-term dynamical stability. Specifically, we highlight exotic high-eccentricity orbital architectures rendering a regular quasi-periodic time-evolution. Of particular significance is our discovery of special cases where the Earth-sized exoplanet follows trajectories that render it an exomoon in relation to the transiting Jupiter-sized exoplanet. This investigation extends our understanding of the complex dynamics within exoplanetary systems, shedding light on the dynamics, and the potential pathways for exomoon formation possibly via accretion on the host planet.

Keywords

Dynamical evolution and stability — planet-star interactions — methods, General — planets and satellites, Numerical, Planets and satellites

Funders

  • Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University

Data Provider: Elsevier