Dynamical Constraints on Multi-Planet Exoplanetary Systems

TL;DR

This paper uses dynamical simulations to assess the stability of newly discovered multi-planet exoplanetary systems, revealing that some proposed systems may be dynamically infeasible or even nonexistent.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed dynamical analysis approach to validate the orbital configurations of exoplanetary systems based on observational data.

Findings

Some proposed planetary systems are dynamically unstable.

Dynamical maps help constrain planetary orbits.

Certain planets' existence is questioned based on stability analysis.

Abstract

As a direct result of ongoing efforts to detect more exoplanetary systems, an ever-increasing number of multiple-planet systems are being announced. But how many of these systems are truly what they seem? In many cases, such systems are announced solely on the basis of orbital fits to observational data, and no attempt is made to see whether the proposed orbits are actually dynamically feasible. As a result, it is certain that planetary systems are being announced that involve planets moving on orbits that would be dynamically unstable on timescales of just a few hundred years. Here, we present the results of dynamical simulations that investigate the orbital stability and evolution of a number of recently discovered exoplanetary systems. These simulations have enabled us to create highly detailed dynamical maps of those systems, allowing us to better constrain the orbits of the planets contained therein. In some cases, our results have even led to the very existence of the planets themselves being called into question.