Year: 2014
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The origin of the class of exoplanets typically referred to as hot Jupiters is to this day an unsettled matter. Some of the proposed formation channels predict certain values of the spin-orbit misalignment parameter, i.e. the angle between the stellar rotation axis, and the angular momentum vector of the planet orbit. One such formation channel is tidal capture following Kozai resonance (TCKR). This channel produces high misalignment, with some preference for angles around 39 deg and 141 deg. For single-planet systems, this channel is viable, but whether it functions in multi-planet systems or not is not yet clear. This thesis primarily explores, by means of N-body simulations, what impact the secular oscillations between planets in multiplanetary systems have on TCKR. Secondarily, there is some investigation into if the outermost planets in multiplanetary systems can act as low-mass Kozai companions. The primary results include that secular oscillations do in fact interact with the Kozai effect: for every multiplanetary system there appears to be a critical combination of the Kozai companion's orbit size and inclination beyond which the effect shuts down. Because of this, secular oscillations are generally detrimental to TCKR and the production of hot Jupiters. Lastly, it would appear that planetary Kozai companions are dysfunctional if their masses are roughly equal to or smaller than those of the system's inferior planets.
Author: Joel Wallenius
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1774755138