Star-Planet Interactions

TL;DR

This paper reviews observational and theoretical studies on magnetic and tidal interactions between hot Jupiters and their host stars, highlighting their effects on stellar activity, planetary orbit, and system evolution.

Contribution

It synthesizes recent evidence and models of star-planet magnetic and tidal interactions, emphasizing their role in hot Jupiter dynamics and stellar activity.

Findings

Magnetic interactions can induce stellar activity enhancements.

Tidal forces influence orbital circularization and synchronization.

Evidence supports magnetic and tidal effects shaping system evolution.

Abstract

Much effort has been invested in recent years, both observationally and theoretically, to understand the interacting processes taking place in planetary systems consisting of a hot Jupiter orbiting its star within 10 stellar radii. Several independent studies have converged on the same scenario: that a short-period planet can induce activity on the photosphere and upper atmosphere of its host star. The growing body of evidence for such magnetic star-planet interactions includes a diverse array of photometric, spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric studies. The nature of which is modeled to be strongly affected by both the stellar and planetary magnetic fields, possibly influencing the magnetic activity of both bodies, as well as affecting irradiation and non-thermal and dynamical processes. Tidal interactions are responsible for the circularization of the planet orbit, for the synchronization of the planet rotation with the orbital period, and may also synchronize the outer convective envelope of the star with the planet. Studying such star-planet interactions (SPI) aids our understanding of the formation, migration and evolution of hot Jupiters.