scholarly journals Earth-size planet formation in the habitable zone of circumbinary stars

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (1) ◽  
pp. 1045-1057 ◽  
Author(s):  
G O Barbosa ◽  
O C Winter ◽  
A Amarante ◽  
A Izidoro ◽  
R C Domingos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Planet Formation ◽  
Terrestrial Planet ◽  
Close Binary ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Habitable Planets ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Test Particles ◽  
The Stability

ABSTRACT This work investigates the possibility of close binary (CB) star systems having Earth-size planets within their habitable zones (HZs). First, we selected all known CB systems with confirmed planets (totaling 22 systems) to calculate the boundaries of their respective HZs. However, only eight systems had all the data necessary for the computation of HZ. Then, we numerically explored the stability within HZs for each one of the eight systems using test particles. From the results, we selected five systems that have stable regions inside HZs, namely Kepler-34,35,38,413, and 453. For these five cases of systems with stable regions in HZ, we perform a series of numerical simulations for planet formation considering discs composed of planetary embryos and planetesimals, with two distinct density profiles, in addition to the stars and host planets of each system. We found that in the case of the Kepler-34 and 453 systems, no Earth-size planet is formed within HZs. Although planets with Earth-like masses were formed in Kepler-453, they were outside HZ. In contrast, for the Kepler-35 and 38 systems, the results showed that potentially habitable planets are formed in all simulations. In the case of the Kepler-413system, in just one simulation, a terrestrial planet was formed within HZ.

scholarly journals Predicting multiple planet stability and habitable zone companions in the TESS era

2019 ◽  
Vol 485 (4) ◽  
pp. 4703-4725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew T Agnew ◽  
Sarah T Maddison ◽  
Jonathan Horner ◽  
Stephen R Kane
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Methods ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Dynamical Stability ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Stable Orbit ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Resonant Orbits ◽  
Test Particles ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Unique Signature

Abstract We present an approach that is able to both rapidly assess the dynamical stability of multiple planet systems, and determine whether an exoplanet system would be capable of hosting a dynamically stable Earth-mass companion in its habitable zone (HZ). We conduct a suite of numerical simulations using a swarm of massless test particles (TPs) in the vicinity of the orbit of a massive planet, in order to develop a predictive tool which can be used to achieve these desired outcomes. In this work, we outline both the numerical methods we used to develop the tool, and demonstrate its use. We find that the TPs survive in systems either because they are unperturbed due to being so far removed from the massive planet, or due to being trapped in stable mean-motion resonant orbits with the massive planet. The resulting unexcited TP swarm produces a unique signature in (a, e) space that represents the stable regions within the system. We are able to scale and translate this stability signature, and combine several together in order to conservatively assess the dynamical stability of newly discovered multiple planet systems. We also assess the stability of a system’s HZ and determine whether an Earth-mass companion could remain on a stable orbit, without the need for exhaustive numerical simulations.

Formation, Frequency and Spacing of Habitable Planets

1997 ◽  
Vol 161 ◽  
pp. 289-297
Author(s):  
Jack J. Lissauer
Keyword(s):  
Planet Formation ◽  
Orbital Stability ◽  
Young Stars ◽  
Giant Planets ◽  
Terrestrial Planets ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Habitable Planets ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Planetary Orbits ◽  
Rocky Planets

AbstractModels of planet formation and of the orbital stability of planetary systems are described and used to discuss estimates of the abundance of habitable planets which may orbit stars within our galaxy. Modern theories of star and planet formation, which are based upon observations of the Solar System and of young stars and their environments, predict that most single stars should have rocky planets in orbit about them. Terrestrial planets are believed to grow via pairwise accretion until the spacing of planetary orbits becomes large enough that the configuration is stable for the age of the system. Giant planets orbiting within or near the habitable zone could either prevent terrestrial planets from forming, destroy such planets or remove them from habitable zones. The implications of the giant planets found in recent radial velocity searches for the abundances of habitable planets are discussed.

scholarly journals Resilient habitability of nearby exoplanet systems

2019 ◽  
Vol 492 (1) ◽  
pp. 352-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgi Kokaia ◽  
Melvyn B Davies ◽  
Alexander J Mustill
Keyword(s):  
Giant Planet ◽  
Planetary Systems ◽  
Observational Constraints ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Test Particles ◽  
Planetary Orbits ◽  
Two Systems ◽  
Earth Like Planets ◽  
Exoplanet Systems

ABSTRACT We investigate the possibility of finding Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of 34 nearby FGK-dwarfs, each known to host one giant planet exterior to their habitable zone detected by RV. First we simulate the dynamics of the planetary systems in their present day configurations and determine the fraction of stable planetary orbits within their habitable zones. Then, we postulate that the eccentricity of the giant planet is a result of an instability in their past during which one or more other planets were ejected from the system. We simulate these scenarios and investigate whether planets orbiting in the habitable zone survive the instability. Explicitly we determine the fraction of test particles, originally found in the habitable zone, which remain in the habitable zone today. We label this fraction the resilient habitability of a system. We find that for most systems the probability of planets existing [or surviving] on stable orbits in the habitable zone becomes significantly smaller when we include a phase of instability in their history. We present a list of candidate systems with high resilient habitability for future observations. These are: HD 95872, HD 154345, HD 102843, HD 25015, GJ 328, HD 6718, and HD 150706. The known planets in the last two systems have large observational uncertainties on their eccentricities, which propagate into large uncertainties on their resilient habitability. Further observational constraints of these two eccentricities will allow us to better constrain the survivability of Earth-like planets in these systems.

The galactic habitable zone in elliptical galaxies

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Falguni Suthar ◽  
Christopher P. McKay
Keyword(s):  
Milky Way ◽  
Planet Formation ◽  
Elliptical Galaxies ◽  
Extrasolar Planet ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Milky Way Galaxy ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Nearby Stars ◽  
Host Stars ◽  
Metallicity Distribution

AbstractThe concept of a Galactic Habitable Zone (GHZ) was introduced for the Milky Way galaxy a decade ago as an extension of the earlier concept of the Circumstellar Habitable Zone. In this work, we consider the extension of the concept of a GHZ to other types of galaxies by considering two elliptical galaxies as examples, M87 and M32. We argue that the defining feature of the GHZ is the probability of planet formation which has been assumed to depend on the metallicity. We have compared the metallicity distribution of nearby stars with the metallicity of stars with planets to document the correlation between metallicity and planet formation and to provide a comparison to other galaxies. Metallicity distribution, based on the [Fe/H] ratio to solar, of nearby stars peaks at [Fe/H]≈−0.2 dex, whereas the metallicity distribution of extrasolar planet host stars peaks at [Fe/H]≈+0.4 dex. We compare the metallicity distribution of extrasolar planet host stars with the metallicity distribution of the outer star clusters of M87 and M32. The metallicity distribution of stars in the outer regions of M87 peaks at [Fe/H]≈−0.2 dex and extends to [Fe/H]≈+0.4 dex, which seems favourable for planet formation. The metallicity distribution of stars in the outer regions of M32 peaks at [Fe/H]≈−0.2 dex and extends to a much lower [Fe/H]. Both elliptical galaxies met the criteria of a GHZ. In general, many galaxies should support habitable zones.

scholarly journals Polarimetry as a tool to find and characterise habitable planets orbiting white dwarfs

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S305) ◽  
pp. 325-332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Fossati ◽  
Stefano Bagnulo ◽  
Carole A. Haswell ◽  
Manish R. Patel ◽  
Richard Busuttil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Uv Irradiation ◽  
White Dwarf ◽  
White Dwarfs ◽  
Terrestrial Planet ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Habitable Planets ◽  
Earth Like Planets ◽  
M Dwarf

AbstractThere are several ways planets can survive the giant phase of the host star, hence one can consider the case of Earth-like planets orbiting white dwarfs. As a white dwarf cools from 6000 K to 4000 K, a planet orbiting at 0.01 AU from the star would remain in the continuous habitable zone (CHZ) for about 8 Gyr. Polarisation due to a terrestrial planet in the CHZ of a cool white dwarf (CWD) is 102 (104) times larger than it would be in the habitable zone of a typical M-dwarf (Sun-like star). Polarimetry is thus a powerful tool to detect close-in planets around white dwarfs. Multi-band polarimetry would also allow one to reveal the presence of a planet atmosphere, even providing a first characterisation. With current facilities a super-Earth-sized atmosphereless planet is detectable with polarimetry around the brightest known CWD. Planned future facilities render smaller planets detectable, in particular by increasing the instrumental sensitivity in the blue. Preliminary habitability study show also that photosynthetic processes can be sustained on Earth-like planets orbiting CWDs and that the DNA-weighted UV radiation dose for an Earth-like planet in the CHZ is less than the maxima encountered on Earth, hence white dwarfs are compatible with the persistence of complex life from the perspective of UV irradiation.

Terrestrial planet accretion constrained by isotopes: Implications for Earth-like habitats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helmut Lammer ◽  
Manuel Scherf ◽  
Nikolai V. Erkaev
Keyword(s):  
Sea Water ◽  
Terrestrial Planet ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Isotopic Data ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Siderophile Elements ◽  
The Right ◽  
Host Stars ◽  
Planet Accretion

<p>Here we discuss terrestrial planet formation by using Earth and our knowledge from various isotope data such as <sup>182</sup>Hf-<sup>182</sup>W, U-Pb, lithophile-siderophile elements, atmospheric <sup>36</sup>Ar/<sup>38</sup>Ar, <sup>20</sup>Ne/<sup>22</sup>Ne, <sup>36</sup>Ar/<sup>22</sup>Ne isotope ratios, the expected solar <sup>3</sup>He abundance in Earth’s deep mantle and Earth’s D/H sea water ratios as an example. By analyzing the available isotopic data one finds that, the bulk of Earth’s mass most likely accreted within 10 to 30 million years after the formation of the solar system. Proto-Earth most likely accreted a mass of 0.5 to 0.6 <em>M</em><sub>Earth</sub> during the disk lifetime of 3 to 4.5 million years and the rest after the disk evaporated (see also Lammer et al. 2021; DOI: 10.1007/s11214-020-00778-4). We also show that particular accretion scenarios of involved planetary building blocks, large planetesimals and planetary embryos that lose also volatiles and moderate volatile rock-forming elements such as the radioactive decaying isotope <sup>40</sup>K determine if a terrestrial planet in a habitable zone of a Sun-like star later evolves to an Earth-like habitat or not. Our findings indicate that one can expect a large diversity of exoplanets with the size and mass of Earth inside habitable zones of their host stars but only a tiny number may have formed to the right conditions that they could potentially evolve to an Earth-like habitat. Finally, we also discuss how future ground- and space-based telescopes that can characterize atmospheres of terrestrial exoplanets can be used to validate this hypothesis.   </p>

scholarly journals Habitable planet formation in extreme planetary systems: systems with multiple stars and/or multiple planets

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S249) ◽  
pp. 319-324
Author(s):  
Nader Haghighipour
Keyword(s):  
Binary Stars ◽  
Binary Systems ◽  
Planet Formation ◽  
Planetary Systems ◽  
Dynamical Evolution ◽  
Giant Planets ◽  
Habitable Planets ◽  
Multiple Stars ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Habitable Planet

AbstractUnderstanding the formation and dynamical evolution of habitable planets in extrasolar planetary systems is a challenging task. In this respect, systems with multiple giant planets and/or multiple stars present special complications. The formation of habitable planets in these environments is strongly affected by the dynamics of their giant planets and/or their stellar companions. These objects have profound effects on the structure of the disk of planetesimals and protoplanetary objects in which terrestrial-class planets are formed. To what extent the current theories of planet formation can be applied to such “extreme” planetary systems depends on the dynamical characteristics of their planets and/or their binary stars. In this paper, I present the results of a study of the possibility of the existence of Earth-like objects in systems with multiple giant planets (namely υ Andromedae, 47 UMa, GJ 876, and 55 Cnc) and discuss the dynamics of the newly discovered Neptune-sized object in 55 Cnc system. I will also review habitable planet formation in binary systems and present the results of a systematic search of the parameter-space for which Earth-like objects can form and maintain long-term stable orbits in the habitable zones of binary stars.

scholarly journals Terrestrial Planet Formation in Disks with Varying Surface Density Profiles

2005 ◽  
Vol 632 (1) ◽  
pp. 670-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean N. Raymond ◽  
Thomas Quinn ◽  
Jonathan I. Lunine
Keyword(s):  
Surface Density ◽  
Planet Formation ◽  
Terrestrial Planet ◽  
Density Profiles

scholarly journals Age aspects of habitability

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Safonova ◽  
J. Murthy ◽  
Yu. A. Shchekinov
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Habitable Zone ◽  
Extraterrestrial Life ◽  
Habitable Planets ◽  
Planetary Scale ◽  
Habitable Zones ◽  
Photosynthetic Oxygen ◽  
Host Life ◽  
Life On Earth ◽  
Poor Population

AbstractA ‘habitable zone’ of a star is defined as a range of orbits within which a rocky planet can support liquid water on its surface. The most intriguing question driving the search for habitable planets is whether they host life. But is the age of the planet important for its habitability? If we define habitability as the ability of a planet to beget life, then probably it is not. After all, life on Earth has developed within only ~800 Myr after its formation – the carbon isotope change detected in the oldest rocks indicates the existence of already active life at least 3.8 Gyr ago. If, however, we define habitability as our ability to detect life on the surface of exoplanets, then age becomes a crucial parameter. Only after life had evolved sufficiently complex to change its environment on a planetary scale, can we detect it remotely through its imprint on the atmosphere – the so-called biosignatures, out of which the photosynthetic oxygen is the most prominent indicator of developed (complex) life as we know it. Thus, photosynthesis is a powerful biogenic engine that is known to have changed our planet's global atmospheric properties. The importance of planetary age for the detectability of life as we know it follows from the fact that this primary process, photosynthesis, is endothermic with an activation energy higher than temperatures in habitable zones, and is sensitive to the particular thermal conditions of the planet. Therefore, the onset of photosynthesis on planets in habitable zones may take much longer time than the planetary age. The knowledge of the age of a planet is necessary for developing a strategy to search for exoplanets carrying complex (developed) life – many confirmed potentially habitable planets are too young (orbiting Population I stars) and may not have had enough time to develop and/or sustain detectable life. In the last decade, many planets orbiting old (9–13 Gyr) metal-poor Population II stars have been discovered. Such planets had had enough time to develop necessary chains of chemical reactions and may carry detectable life if located in a habitable zone. These old planets should be primary targets in search for the extraterrestrial life.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document