Exotic Earths: forming habitable worlds with giant planet migration

Science. 2006 Sep 8;313(5792):1413-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1130461.

Abstract

Close-in giant planets (e.g., "hot Jupiters") are thought to form far from their host stars and migrate inward, through the terrestrial planet zone, via torques with a massive gaseous disk. Here we simulate terrestrial planet growth during and after giant planet migration. Several-Earth-mass planets also form interior to the migrating jovian planet, analogous to recently discovered "hot Earths." Very-water-rich, Earth-mass planets form from surviving material outside the giant planet's orbit, often in the habitable zone and with low orbital eccentricities. More than a third of the known systems of giant planets may harbor Earth-like planets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Astronomical Phenomena
  • Astronomy
  • Computer Simulation
  • Earth, Planet
  • Evolution, Planetary*
  • Iron
  • Mathematics
  • Planets*
  • Temperature
  • Water*

Substances

  • Water
  • Iron