The fate of exoplanets and the red giant rapid rotator connection

Joleen K. Carlberg, Steven R. Majewski, Phil Arras, Verne V. Smith, Katia Cunha, Dmitry Bizyaev

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have computed the fate of exoplanet companions around main sequence stars to explore the frequency of planet ingestion by their host stars during the red giant branch evolution. Using published properties of exoplanetary systems combined with stellar evolution models and Zahn's theory of tidal friction, we modeled the tidal decay of the planets' orbits as their host stars evolve. Most planets currently orbiting within 2 AU of their star are expected to be ingested by the end of their stars' red giant branch ascent. Our models confirm that many transiting planets are sufficiently close to their parent star that they will be accreted during the main sequence lifetime of the star. We also find that planet accretion may play an important role in explaining the mysterious red giant rapid rotators, although appropriate planetary systems do not seem to be plentiful enough to account for all such rapid rotators. We compare our modeled rapid rotators and surviving planetary systems to their real-life counterparts and discuss the implications of this work to the broader field of exoplanets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPlanetary Systems Beyond the Main Sequence - Proceedings of the International Conference "Planetary Systems Beyond the Main Sequence"
Pages33-40
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Conference "Planetary Systems Beyond the Main Sequence" - Bamberg, Germany
Duration: Aug 11 2010Aug 14 2010

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1331
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

ConferenceInternational Conference "Planetary Systems Beyond the Main Sequence"
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityBamberg
Period8/11/108/14/10

Keywords

  • stars: abundances
  • stars: chemically peculiar
  • stars: rotation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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