Mean-Motion Resonances of High Order in Extrasolar Planetary Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method to generate high initial eccentricities in planetary systems, enabling the formation of high order mean-motion resonances and predicting new planets through a genetic N-body simulation approach.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach using additional planets to produce high initial eccentricities, facilitating the formation of high order MMRs in extrasolar systems.

Findings

High order MMRs can be formed with additional planets.

Genetic N-body code predicts new planets in resonant systems.

Method extends understanding of planet formation dynamics.

Abstract

Many multi-planet systems have been discovered in recent years. Some of them are in mean-motion resonances (MMR). Planet formation theory was successful in explaining the formation of 2:1, 3:1 and other low resonances as a result of convergent migration. However, higher order resonances require high initial orbital eccentricities in order to be formed by this process and these are in general unexpected in a dissipative disk. We present a way of generating large initial eccentricities using additional planets. This procedure allows us to form high order MMRs and predict new planets using a genetic N-body code.