The effect of planet-planet scattering on the survival of exomoons

TL;DR

This paper investigates how planet-planet scattering impacts the survival of exomoons, revealing that such dynamical processes tend to destroy moons, especially around eccentric or hot Jupiters, influencing moon search strategies.

Contribution

It provides the first analysis of PPS effects on exomoon survival, highlighting the importance of planetary system history in exomoon detection efforts.

Findings

PPS is destructive to exomoons, especially around eccentric or hot Jupiters.

Planets in multiple systems with low eccentricity are more likely to retain their moons.

Massive planets in systems with PPS are less likely to host surviving moons.

Abstract

Compared to the giant planets in the solar system, exoplanets have many remarkable properties such as the prevalence of giant planets on eccentric orbits and the presence of hot Jupiters. Planet-planet scattering (PPS) between giant planets is a possible mechanism in interpreting above and other observed properties. If the observed giant planet architectures are indeed the outcomes of PPS, such drastic dynamical process must affect their primordial moon systems. In this Letter, we discuss the effect of the PPS on the survival of their regular moons. From the viewpoint of observations, some preliminary conclusions are drawn from the simulations. 1. PPS is a destructive process to the moon systems, single planets on eccentric orbits are not the ideal moon-search targets. 2. If hot Jupiters formed through PPS, their original moons have little chance to survive. 3. Planets in multiple systems with small eccentricities are more likely holding their primordial moons. 4. Compared to the lower-mass planets, the massive ones in multiple systems may not be the preferred moon-search targets if the system underwent a PPS history.