A dynamical perspective on additional planets in 55 Cancri

Details A dynamical perspective on additional planets in 55 Cancri A dynamical perspective on additional planets in 55 Cancri

2008-08-25

arxiv.org/abs/0808.3295v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

ApJ, in press

Scientific paper

10.1086/592772

Five planets are known to orbit the star 55 Cancri. The recently-discovered planet f at 0.78 AU (Fischer et al. 2008) is located at the inner edge of a previously-identified stable zone that separates the three close-in planets from planet d at 5.9 AU. Here we map the stability of the orbital space between planets f and d using a suite of n-body integrations that include an additional, yet-to-be-discovered planet g with a radial velocity amplitude of 5 m/s (planet mass = 0.5-1.2 Saturn masses). We find a large stable zone extending from 0.9 to 3.8 AU at eccentricities below 0.4. For each system we quantify the probability of detecting planets b-f on their current orbits given perturbations from hypothetical planet g, in order to further constrain the mass and orbit of an additional planet. We find that large perturbations are associated with specific mean motion resonances (MMRs) with planets f and d. We show that two MMRs, 3f:1g (the 1:3 MMR between planets g and f) and 4g:1d cannot contain a planet g. The 2f:1g MMR is unlikely to contain a planet more massive than about 20 Earth masses. The 3g:1d and 5g:2d MMRs could contain a resonant planet but the resonant location is strongly confined. The 3f:2g, 2g:1d and 3g:2d MMRs exert a stabilizing influence and could contain a resonant planet. Furthermore, we show that the stable zone may in fact contain 2-3 additional planets, if they are ~50 Earth masses each. Finally, we show that any planets exterior to planet d must reside beyond 10 AU.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

A dynamical perspective on additional planets in 55 Cancri does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with A dynamical perspective on additional planets in 55 Cancri, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and A dynamical perspective on additional planets in 55 Cancri will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-380304