Dynamical stability of terrestrial planets in the binary alpha Centauri system

Autor(es)

Andrade-Ines, E. ^[1] ; Michtchenko, T. A. ^[1]

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geofis & Ciencias Atmosfer, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; v. 444, n. 3, p. 2167-2177, NOV 1 2014.
• Citações Web of Science: 12

Resumo

In this paper, we investigate whether hypothetical Earth-like planets have high probability of remaining on stable orbits inside the habitable zones around the stars A and B of alpha Centauri, for lengths of time compatible with the evolution of life. We introduce a stability criterion based on the solution of the restricted three-body problem and apply it to the alpha Centauri system. In this way, we determine the regions of the short-term stability of the satellite-type planetary orbits, in both planar and three-dimensional cases. We also study the long-term stability of hypothetical planets through the dynamical mapping of the habitable zones of the stars. The topology of the maps is analysed using the semi-analytical secular Hamiltonian model and possible processes responsible for long-lasting instabilities are identified. We verify that the planetary motion inside the habitable zones is regular, regardless of high eccentricities, for inclinations smaller than 40 degrees. We show that the variation of the orbital distance of the planet located in the habitable zones of the binary is comparable to that of Earth, if the planet is close to the Mode I stationary solution. This result brings positive expectations for finding habitable planets in binary stars. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 09/54006-4 - Um cluster de computadores para o Departamento de Astronomia do IAG-USP e para o Núcleo de Astrofísica da UNICSUL
• Beneficiário: Elisabete Maria de Gouveia Dal Pino
• Linha de fomento: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa Equipamentos Multiusuários
• Processo FAPESP: 10/01209-2 - Modelagem do movimento planetário nos sistemas de estrelas múltiplas
• Beneficiário: Eduardo Andrade Inês
• Linha de fomento: Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado