Dissipative Divergence of Resonant Orbits
Abstract
A considerable fraction of multi-planet systems discovered by the observational surveys of extrasolar planets reside in mild proximity to first-order mean-motion resonances. However, the relative remoteness of such systems from nominal resonant period ratios (e.g., 2:1, 3:2, and 4:3) has been interpreted as evidence for lack of resonant interactions. Here, we show that a slow divergence away from exact commensurability is a natural outcome of dissipative evolution and demonstrate that libration of critical angles can be maintained tens of percent away from nominal resonance. We construct an analytical theory for the long-term dynamical evolution of dissipated resonant planetary pairs and confirm our calculations numerically. Collectively, our results suggest that a significant fraction of the near-commensurate extrasolar planets are in fact resonant and have undergone significant dissipative evolution.
Additional Information
© 2013 American Astronomical Society. Received 2012 April 12; accepted 2012 July 19; published 2012 November 20. We thank Kleomenis Tsiganis, Peter Goldreich, and Greg Laughlin for numerous useful conversations. During the preparation of this paper, we have become aware that Y. Lithwick & Y. Wu (2012) arrived at similar arguments simultaneously and independently. K. Batygin acknowledges supported from NASA's NESSF graduate fellowship.Attached Files
Published - 1538-3881_145_1_1.pdf
Accepted Version - 1204.2791.pdf
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Additional details
- Eprint ID
- 36370
- Resolver ID
- CaltechAUTHORS:20130115-085708255
- NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship
- Created
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2013-01-15Created from EPrint's datestamp field
- Updated
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2021-11-09Created from EPrint's last_modified field
- Caltech groups
- Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences