event
Thursday 03 Dec 2009: Turning solar systems into the observed extrasolar planets: the potential of perturbing stars
Prof. Melvyn Davies - Lund Observatory, Sweden
Physics, 4th Floor interaction area 13:00-14:00
Today we know of over 400 planets around other stars. Many of these are massive planets, found on tight, and yet eccentric, orbits around their host stars. All stars are formed in some sort of cluster or association. I will discuss how planetary systems similar to our own solar system are vulnerable to perturbations from passing stars and stellar companions within stellar clusters. These perturbations may lead to a chain of events that result in the ejection of some planets, leaving those remaining on tighter, and eccentric, orbits. In addition, we may also be able to explain a sub-population of hot jupiters, and planets seen recently via direct imaging to be on very wide orbits.
