How planet-planet scattering can create high-inclination as well as long-period orbits

Sourav Chatterjee, Eric B. Ford, Frederic A. Rasio

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent observations have revealed two new classes of planetary orbits. Rossiter-Mclaughlin (RM) measurements have revealed hot Jupiters in high-obliquity orbits. In addition, direct-imaging has discovered giant planets at large ( 100AU) separations via direct-imaging technique. Simple-minded disk-migration scenarios are inconsistent with the high-inclination (and even retrograde) orbits as seen in recent RM measurements. Furthermore, forming giant planets at large semi-major axis (a) may be challenging in the core-accretion paradigm. We perform many N-body simulations to explore the two above-mentioned orbital architectures. Planet-planet scattering in a multi-planet system can naturally excite orbital inclinations. Planets can also get scattered to large distances. Large-a planetary orbits created from planet-planet scattering are expected to have high eccentricities (e). Theoretical models predict that the observed long-period planets, such as Fomalhaut-b have moderate e 0.3. Interestingly, these are also in systems with disks. We find that if a massive-enough outer disk is present, a scattered planet may be circularized at large a via dynamical friction from the disk and repeated scattering of the disk particles.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Astrophysics of Planetary Systems
Subtitle of host publicationFormation, Structure, and Dynamical Evolution
PublisherCambridge University Press
Pages225-229
Number of pages5
EditionS276
ISBN (Print)9780521196529
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2010

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
NumberS276
Volume6
ISSN (Print)1743-9213
ISSN (Electronic)1743-9221

Keywords

  • Methods: n-body simulations
  • Methods: numerical
  • Planetary systems
  • Scattering

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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