Stability of the Potential Super Jupiter in Alpha Centauri System

TL;DR

This paper explores the potential stability of a Jupiter-mass exoplanet in the Alpha Centauri AB system using numerical simulations and stability criteria, suggesting such a planet could exist in stable orbits.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of KAM theorem and MEGNO analysis to assess the stability of a hypothetical Jupiter-mass planet in Alpha Centauri AB, based on parallels with GJ65AB.

Findings

Jupiter-mass planets could theoretically have stable orbits in Alpha Centauri AB.

Stable orbital zones are identified using KAM and MEGNO methods.

The study highlights the potential for similar binary systems to host stable giant planets.

Abstract

The stability of potential exoplanets in binary star systems remains a critical challenge in celestial mechanics. This study investigates the stability of a hypothetical Jupiter-mass planet in the Alpha Centauri AB system by drawing parallels with the recently detected Neptune-mass planet in the GJ65AB system, which shares similar mass ratios and orbital eccentricities. Utilizing the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser (KAM) theorem and the Mean Exponential Growth of Nearby Orbits (MEGNO) parameter within the REBOUND software package, we perform numerical simulations to identify stable orbital configurations. Our results indicate that a Jupiter-mass planet could theoretically maintain a stable orbit in Alpha Centauri AB, with orbital parameters derived from the stable zones observed in GJ65AB. Despite the absence of observational evidence for such a planet in Alpha Centauri AB, this study suggests that similar binary systems could exhibit analogous stability characteristics. Future observational efforts are recommended to explore this potential and refine our understanding of planetary formation in binary star systems.