Astronomy 1021 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Exoplanet, Planetary System
29 May 2018
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Astronomy 1021
Chapter 10: Other Planetary Systems
Extrasolar planets and planets in Solar System
•Orbital Properties
-Extrasolar planets 1) orbit close to their stars but mass of Jupiter; 2) have larger eccentricities
-Reason for difference is detection methods- mostly observed planets that are close-in with short
orbital periods
•Sizes, Masses, and Densities
-Discoveries from Kepler mission stats: 1) planets are common, at least 70% stars have at least one
planet; 2) small planets outnumber large planets; data mostly from planets orbiting close to their
stars (too hot to sustain life)
-Density range for extrasolar planets is wider than planet sin Solar System
•The nature of Extrasolar Planets
-All planetary system start out as gas clouds w/ similar composition to the solar nebula, 98% H and
He & 2% hydrogen compounds, rock and metal
-Can create models to give expected composition of a planet based on its mass and radius, which also
gives us average density
-Extrasolar planets are not strictly Jovian or Terrestrial, more diverse; ex. ‘water worlds’ planets,
made predominantly of water
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Document Summary
Extrasolar planets and planets in solar system: orbital properties. Extrasolar planets 1) orbit close to their stars but mass of jupiter; 2) have larger eccentricities. Reason for difference is detection methods- mostly observed planets that are close-in with short orbital periods. Discoveries from kepler mission stats: 1) planets are common, at least 70% stars have at least one planet; 2) small planets outnumber large planets; data mostly from planets orbiting close to their stars (too hot to sustain life) Density range for extrasolar planets is wider than planet sin solar system: the nature of extrasolar planets. All planetary system start out as gas clouds w/ similar composition to the solar nebula, 98% h and. He & 2% hydrogen compounds, rock and metal. Can create models to give expected composition of a planet based on its mass and radius, which also gives us average density. Extrasolar planets are not strictly jovian or terrestrial, more diverse; ex.
