scholarly journals Mercury as the Relic of Earth and Venus Outward Migration

2021 ◽  
Vol 923 (1) ◽  
pp. L16
Author(s):  
Matthew S. Clement ◽  
Sean N. Raymond ◽  
John E. Chambers

Abstract In spite of substantial advancements in simulating planet formation, the planet Mercury’s diminutive mass and isolated orbit and the absence of planets with shorter orbital periods in the solar system continue to befuddle numerical accretion models. Recent studies have shown that if massive embryos (or even giant planet cores) formed early in the innermost parts of the Sun’s gaseous disk, they would have migrated outward. This migration may have reshaped the surface density profile of terrestrial planet-forming material and generated conditions favorable to the formation of Mercury-like planets. Here we continue to develop this model with an updated suite of numerical simulations. We favor a scenario where Earth’s and Venus’s progenitor nuclei form closer to the Sun and subsequently sculpt the Mercury-forming region by migrating toward their modern orbits. This rapid formation of ∼0.5 M ⊕ cores at ∼0.1–0.5 au is consistent with modern high-resolution simulations of planetesimal accretion. In successful realizations, Earth and Venus accrete mostly dry, enstatite chondrite–like material as they migrate, thus providing a simple explanation for the masses of all four terrestrial planets, the inferred isotopic differences between Earth and Mars, and Mercury’s isolated orbit. Furthermore, our models predict that Venus’s composition should be similar to the Earth’s and possibly derived from a larger fraction of dry material. Conversely, Mercury analogs in our simulations attain a range of final compositions.

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S276) ◽  
pp. 495-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonardo A. Almeida ◽  
Francisco Jablonski

AbstractQS Vir is an eclipsing cataclysmic variable with 3.618 hrs orbital period. This system has the interesting characteristics that it does not show mass transfer between the components through the L1 Lagrangian point and shows a complex orbital period variation history. Qian et al. (2010) associated the orbital period variations to the presence of a giant planet in the system plus angular momentum loss via magnetic braking. Parsons et al. (2010) obtained new eclipse timings and observed that the orbital period variations associated to a hypothetical giant planet disagree with their measurements and concluded that the decrease in orbital period is part of a cyclic variation with period ~16 yrs. In this work, we present 28 new eclipse timings of QS Vir and suggest that the orbital period variations can be explained by a model with two circumbinary bodies. The best fitting gives the lower limit to the masses M1 sin(i) ~ 0.0086 M⊙ and M2 sin(i) ~ 0.054 M⊙; orbital periods P1 ~ 14.4 yrs and P2 ~ 16.99 yrs, and eccentricities e1 ~ 0.62 and e2~0.92 for the two external bodies. Under the assumption of coplanarity among the two external bodies and the inner binary, we obtain a giant planet with ~0.009 M⊙ and a brown dwarf with ~ 0.056 M⊙ around the eclipsing binary QS Vir.


2019 ◽  
Vol 625 ◽  
pp. A39 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Saffe ◽  
E. Jofré ◽  
P. Miquelarena ◽  
M. Jaque Arancibia ◽  
M. Flores ◽  
...  

Aims. We explore for the first time the probable chemical signature of planet formation in the remarkable binary system HD 106515. Star A hosts a massive long-period planet with ~9 MJup detected by radial velocity, while there is no planet detected at the B star. We also refine stellar and planetary parameters by using non-solar-scaled opacities when modelling the stars. Methods. We carried out a simultaneous determination of stellar parameters and abundances by applying for the first time non-solar-scaled opacities in this binary system, in order to reach the highest possible precision. We used a line-by-line strictly differential approach, using the Sun and then the A star as reference. Stellar parameters were determined by imposing an ionization and excitation balance of Fe lines, with an updated version of the FUNDPAR program, ATLAS12 model atmospheres, and the MOOG code. Opacities for an arbitrary composition were calculated through the opacity sampling method. The chemical patterns were compared with solar-twins condensation temperature Tc trends from the literature and also mutually between both stars. We take the opportunity to compare and discuss the results of the classical solar-scaled method and the high-precision procedure applied here. Results. Stars A and B in the binary system HD 106515 do not seem to be depleted in refractory elements, which is different when comparing the Sun with solar twins. The terrestrial planet formation would have been less efficient in the stars of this binary system. Together with HD 80606/7, this is the second binary system that does not seem to present a (terrestrial) signature of planet formation, when both systems host an eccentric giant planet. This is in agreement with numerical simulations, where the early dynamical evolution of eccentric giant planets clears out most of the possible terrestrial planets in the inner zone. We refined the stellar mass, radius, and age for both stars and found a notable difference of ~78% in R⋆ compared to previous works. We also refined the planet mass to mp sini = 9.08 ± 0.20 MJup, which differs by ~6% compared with the literature. In addition, we showed that the non-solar-scaled solution is not compatible with the classical solar-scaled method, and some abundance differences are comparable to non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) or galactic chemical evolution (GCE) effects especially when using the Sun as reference. Therefore, we encourage the use of non-solar-scaled opacities in high-precision studies such as the detection of Tc trends.


2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (A29B) ◽  
pp. 427-430
Author(s):  
Kevin J. Walsh

AbstractBuilding models capable of successfully matching the Terrestrial Planet's basic orbital and physical properties has proven difficult. Meanwhile, improved estimates of the nature of water-rich material accreted by the Earth, along with the timing of its delivery, have added even more constraints for models to match. While the outer Asteroid Belt seemingly provides a source for water-rich planetesimals, models that delivered enough of them to the still-forming Terrestrial Planets typically failed on other basic constraints - such as the mass of Mars.Recent models of Terrestrial Planet Formation have explored how the gas-driven migration of the Giant Planets can solve long-standing issues with the Earth/Mars size ratio. This model is forced to reproduce the orbital and taxonomic distribution of bodies in the Asteroid Belt from a much wider range of semimajor axis than previously considered. In doing so, it also provides a mechanism to feed planetesimals from between and beyond the Giant Planet formation region to the still-forming Terrestrial Planets.


2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A116 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Prieto-Arranz ◽  
E. Palle ◽  
D. Gandolfi ◽  
O. Barragán ◽  
E. W. Guenther ◽  
...  

Context. Multiplanet systems are excellent laboratories to test planet formation models as all planets are formed under the same initial conditions. In this context, systems transiting bright stars can play a key role, since planetary masses, radii, and bulk densities can be measured. Aims. GJ 9827 (K2-135) has recently been found to host a tightly packed system consisting of three transiting small planets whose orbital periods of 1.2, 3.6, and 6.2 days are near the 1:3:5 ratio. GJ 9827 hosts the nearest planetary system (~30 pc) detected by NASA’s Kepler or K2 space mission. Its brightness (V = 10.35 mag) makes the star an ideal target for detailed studies of the properties of its planets. Methods. Combining the K2 photometry with high-precision radial-velocity measurements gathered with the FIES, HARPS, and HARPS-N spectrographs we revised the system parameters and derive the masses of the three planets. Results. We find that GJ 9827 b has a mass of Mb = 3.69−0.46+0.48 M⊕ and a radius of Rb = 1.58−0.13+0.14 R⊕, yielding a mean density of ρb = 5.11−1.27+1.74 g cm−3. GJ 9827 c has a mass of Mc = 1.45−0.57+0.58 M⊕, radius of Rc = 1.24−0.11+0.11 R⊕, and a mean density of ρc = 4.13−1.77+2.31 g cm−3. For GJ 9827 d, we derive Md = 1.45−0.57+0.58 M⊕, Rd = 1.24−0.11+0.11 R⊕, and ρd = 1.51−0.53+0.71 g cm−3. Conclusions. GJ 9827 is one of the few known transiting planetary systems for which the masses of all planets have been determined with a precision better than 30%. This system is particularly interesting because all three planets are close to the limit between super-Earths and sub-Neptunes. The planetary bulk compositions are compatible with a scenario where all three planets formed with similar core and atmosphere compositions, and we speculate that while GJ 9827 b and GJ 9827 c lost their atmospheric envelopes, GJ 9827 d maintained its primordial atmosphere, owing to the much lower stellarirradiation. This makes GJ 9827 one of the very few systems where the dynamical evolution and the atmosphericescape can be studied in detail for all planets, helping us to understand how compact systems form and evolve.


1904 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 415-422
Author(s):  
George Romanes

During the discussions that have arisen as to the internal heat of the earth, the writer has never seen any reason given for supposing that there was a time when the earth was a highly heated fluid mass, and he believes that view to have originated by analogy from the case of the sun; and no other cause of the heat seems to be generally assumed than the collisions of the parts that came together to form the earth's mass. He has expected to find some one maintaining that gradual gravitational compression of the mass was the main source of the earth's internal heat, but till recently he has never tried to find out if it could possibly be a sufficient cause. It has always seemed to him that the formation of the earth's mass must have been accomplished under circumstances so different from the case of the sun that an analogy could scarcely be drawn between the two cases; indeed, it is obvious that the amount of heat produced by the formation of planets from nebulae will depend principally on their masses, and will be in a, higher ratio than that of the masses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 617 ◽  
pp. A68 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Hueso ◽  
M. Delcroix ◽  
A. Sánchez-Lavega ◽  
S. Pedranghelu ◽  
G. Kernbauer ◽  
...  

Context. Video observations of Jupiter obtained by amateur astronomers over the past 8 years have shown five flashes of light with durations of 1–2 s, each observed by at least two observers that were geographically separated. The first three of these events occurred on 3 June 2010, 20 August 2010, and 10 September 2012. Previous analyses of their light curves showed that they were caused by the impact of objects of 5–20 m in diameter, depending on their density, with a released energy comparable to superbolides on Earth of the class of the Chelyabinsk airburst. The most recent two flashes on Jupiter were detected on 17 March 2016 and 26 May 2017 and are analyzed here. Aims. We characterize the energy involved together with the masses and sizes of the objects that produced these flashes. The rate of similar impacts on Jupiter provides improved constraints on the total flux of impacts on the planet, which can be compared to the amount of exogenic species detected in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter. Methods. We extracted light curves of the flashes and calculated the masses and sizes of the impacting objects after calibrating each video observation. We also present results from a systematic search of impacts on >72 000 video amateur observations with a customized software that is based on differential photometry of the images. An examination of the number of amateur observations of Jupiter as a function of time over the past years allows us to interpret the statistics of these impact detections. Results. The cumulative flux of small objects (5–20 m or larger) that impact Jupiter is predicted to be low (10–65 impacts per year), and only a fraction of them are potentially observable from Earth (4–25 observable impacts per year in a perfect survey). These numbers imply that many observers are required to efficiently discover Jupiter impacts. Conclusions. We predict that more impacts will be found in the next years, with Jupiter opposition displaced toward summer in the northern hemisphere where most amateur astronomers observe. Objects of this size contribute negligibly to the abundance of exogenous species and dust in the stratosphere of Jupiter when compared with the continuous flux from interplanetary dust particles punctuated by giant impacts. Flashes of a high enough brightness (comparable at their peak to a +3.3 magnitude star) could produce an observable debris field on the planet. We estimate that a continuous search for these impacts might find these events once every 0.4–2.6 yr.


2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (S249) ◽  
pp. 233-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean N. Raymond

AbstractTerrestrial planets form in a series of dynamical steps from the solid component of circumstellar disks. First, km-sized planetesimals form likely via a combination of sticky collisions, turbulent concentration of solids, and gravitational collapse from micron-sized dust grains in the thin disk midplane. Second, planetesimals coalesce to form Moon- to Mars-sized protoplanets, also called “planetary embryos”. Finally, full-sized terrestrial planets accrete from protoplanets and planetesimals. This final stage of accretion lasts about 10-100 Myr and is strongly affected by gravitational perturbations from any gas giant planets, which are constrained to form more quickly, during the 1-10 Myr lifetime of the gaseous component of the disk. It is during this final stage that the bulk compositions and volatile (e.g., water) contents of terrestrial planets are set, depending on their feeding zones and the amount of radial mixing that occurs. The main factors that influence terrestrial planet formation are the mass and surface density profile of the disk, and the perturbations from giant planets and binary companions if they exist. Simple accretion models predicts that low-mass stars should form small, dry planets in their habitable zones. The migration of a giant planet through a disk of rocky bodies does not completely impede terrestrial planet growth. Rather, “hot Jupiter” systems are likely to also contain exterior, very water-rich Earth-like planets, and also “hot Earths”, very close-in rocky planets. Roughly one third of the known systems of extra-solar (giant) planets could allow a terrestrial planet to form in the habitable zone.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Jontof-Hutter

Low-mass planets have an extraordinarily diverse range of bulk compositions, from primarily rocky worlds to those with deep gaseous atmospheres. As techniques for measuring the masses of exoplanets advance the field toward the regime of rocky planets, from ultrashort orbital periods to Venus-like distances, we identify the bounds on planet compositions, where sizes and incident fluxes inform bulk planet properties. In some cases, the precision of measurement of planet masses and sizes is approaching the theoretical uncertainties in planet models. An emerging picture explains aspects of the diversity of low-mass planets, although some problems remain: Do extreme low-density, low-mass planets challenge models of atmospheric mass loss? Are planet sizes strictly separated by bulk composition? Why do some stellar characterizations differ between observational techniques? With the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite ( TESS) mission, low-mass exoplanets around the nearest stars will soon be discovered and characterized with unprecedented precision, permitting more detailed planetary modeling and atmospheric characterization of low-mass exoplanets than ever before. ▪ Following the Kepler mission, studies of exoplanetary compositions have entered the terrestrial regime. ▪ Low-mass planets have an extraordinary range of compositions, from Earth-like mixtures of rock and metal to mostly tenuous gas. ▪ The TESS mission will discover low-mass planets that can be studied in more detail than ever before.


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