Tidal evolution in multiple planet systems: application to Kepler-62 and Kepler-186

TL;DR

This paper investigates how tidal forces influence the orbital and climate evolution of planets in multi-planet systems, focusing on Kepler-62 and Kepler-186, highlighting the interplay between planet-planet interactions and tidal damping.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of tidal effects in multi-planet systems within habitable zones, emphasizing their impact on planetary dynamics and climate evolution.

Findings

Tidal forces significantly affect orbital configurations.

Planet-planet interactions compete with tidal damping.

Implications for habitability and climate stability.

Abstract

A large number of observed exoplanets are part of multiple planet systems. Most of these systems are sufficiently close-in to be tidally evolving. In such systems, there is a competition between the excitation caused by planet-planet interactions and tidal damping. Using as an example two multiple planet systems, which host planets in the surface liquid water habitable zone (HZ): Kepler-62 and Kepler-186, we show the importance and effect of both planetary and stellar tides on the dynamical evolution of planets and on the climate of the HZ planets.