Work

Exoplanet Synchronization in the Habitable Zone: Learning from Venus’ Retrograde Rotation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The rotation of a planet in the habitable zone (HZ) of a solar-type star may be reversed by a smooth process associated with the formation of its atmosphere and the emergence of torques stronger than and opposite to the normal tidal torques. Our understanding of Venus’ rotational dynamics is revisited to look at what might happen to exoplanets in the HZ of a solar-type star. Current theories are used to construct a simplified model of the joint contribution of the gravitational tidal torque and the atmospheric torque. It shows that the reversal of a planet’s rotation is not an exceptional fact and may have happened many times amongst the known HZ exoplanets.

Source: The Astronomical Journal

Author: Sylvio Ferraz-Mello

Institution: Universidade de São Paulo

Language: English

Topic: Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,499

Funders: Southwest Research Institute, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico

Awards: G1218890796, G6355021727