Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Nov 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011iaus..276..482k&link_type=abstract
The Astrophysics of Planetary Systems: Formation, Structure, and Dynamical Evolution, Proceedings of the International Astronomi
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Planets And Satellites: Interiors, Planets And Satellites: Individual (Hat-P-13B), Methods: Numerical
Scientific paper
For the solar sytem giant planets the measurement of the gravitational moments J2 and J4 provided valuable information about the interior structure. However, for extrasolar planets the gravitational moments are not accessible. Nevertheless, an additional constraint for extrasolar planets can be obtained from the tidal Love number k2, which, to first order, is equivalent to J2. k2 quantifies the quadrupolic gravity field deformation at the surface of the planet in response to an external perturbing body and depends solely on the planet's internal density distribution. On the other hand, the inverse deduction of the density distribution of the planet from k2 is non-unique. The Love number k2 is a potentially observable parameter that can be obtained from tidally induced apsidal precession of close-in planets (Ragozzine & Wolf 2009) or from the orbital parameters of specific two-planet systems in apsidal alignment (Mardling 2007). We find that for a given k2, a precise value for the core mass cannot be derived. However, a maximum core mass can be inferred which equals the core mass predicted by homogeneous zero metallicity envelope models. Using the example of the extrasolar transiting planet HAT-P-13b we show to what extend planetary models can be constrained by taking into account the tidal Love number k2.
Kramm Ulrike
Nettelmann Nadine
Redmer Ronald
No associations
LandOfFree
Constraining planetary interiors with the Love number k2 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 Constraining planetary interiors with the Love number k2, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Constraining planetary interiors with the Love number k2 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-741913