HD45364, a pair of planets in a 3:2 mean motion resonance

Authors: A.C.M. Correia, S. Udry, M. Mayor, W. Benz, J.-L. Bertaux, F. Bouchy, J. Laskar, C. Lovis, C. Mordasini, F. Pepe, D. Queloz

(Submitted on 3 Feb 2009)

Abstract: Precise radial-velocity measurements with the HARPS spectrograph reveal the presence of two planets orbiting the solar-type star HD45364. The companion masses are 0.187 Mjup and 0.658 Mjup, with semi-major axes of 0.681 AU and 0.897 AU, and eccentricities of 0.168 and 0.097, respectively.

A dynamical analysis of the system further shows a 3:2 mean motion resonance between the two planets, which prevents close encounters and ensures the stability of the system over 5 Gyr.

This is the first time that such a resonant configuration has been observed for extra-solar planets, although there is an analogue in our Solar System formed by Neptune and Pluto. This singular planetary system may provide important constraints on planetary formation and migration scenarios.

Comments: 6 pages, 6 figures

Subjects: Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP); Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:200810774

Cite as: arXiv:0902.0597v1 [astro-ph.EP]

Submission history

From: Alexandre Correia [view email]

[v1] Tue, 3 Feb 2009 20:31:53 GMT (1497kb)

http://arxiv.org/abs/0902.0597