Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
1998-01-28
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
24 pages, 9 figures. To appear in ApJ Vol. 500, 10 June 1998
Scientific paper
10.1086/305711
Giant planets in circumstellar disks can migrate inward from their initial (formation) positions. Radial migration is caused by inward torques between the planet and the disk; by outward torques between the planet and the spinning star; and by outward torques due to Roche lobe overflow and consequent mass loss from the planet. We present self-consistent numerical considerations of the problem of migrating giant planets. Summing torques on planets for various physical parameters, we find that Jupiter-mass planets can stably arrive and survive at small heliocentric distances, thus reproducing observed properties of some of the recently discovered extra-solar planets. Inward migration timescales can be approximately equal to or less than disk lifetimes and star spindown timescales. Therefore, the range of fates of massive planets is broad, and generally comprises three classes: (I) planets which migrate inward too rapidly and lose all their mass; (II) planets which migrate inward, lose some but not all of their mass, and survive in very small orbits; and (III) planets which do not lose any mass. Some planets in Class III do not migrate very far from their formation locations. Our results show that there is a wide range of possible fates for Jupiter-mass planets for both final heliocentric distance and final mass.
Benz Willy
Burrows Adam
Guillot Tristan
Hubbard William B.
Lunine Jonathan I.
No associations
LandOfFree
Orbital Evolution and Migration of Giant Planets: Modeling Extrasolar Planets 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 Orbital Evolution and Migration of Giant Planets: Modeling Extrasolar Planets, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Orbital Evolution and Migration of Giant Planets: Modeling Extrasolar Planets will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-639254