Rate of planets flowing into stars: Discussion

astrostuart

I just posted a question to ask for help on the Calculus & Analysis section to determine how fast planets go into stars. I should give a little background, in addition to pointing you to my latest two short papers: http://arxiv.org/abs/1301.4229 and http://arxiv.org/abs/1211.1984

I have already done this problem numerically in those two papers, but for the full Journal paper, I want to show as much of this as I can analytically. I will be able to do my calculations much faster with analytical equations as well.

I am taking the distribution of planets found using Kepler data, and using the equations for tidal migration, calculating the rate of planets migrating into the star as a function of the tidal dissipation value Q.
I am also looking how the occurrence distribution changes as a function of time.

There are several more interesting questions I'll be pursuing, including a correlation between the Fe in the star and the eccentricity of the planet. I'm hoping to get more discussion.

Hope you head over to the other post.

Thanks!

Stuart
Hong Kong and Sedona, Arizona

astrostuart

I have a tentative solution to my question, how fast are planets migrating inwards, posted at http://www.physicsforums.com/showthr...04#post4240604
I've posted my math in the calculus section, because it is hardcore calculus help that I want, but I sure would be grateful if some of you wanting to do some theoretical exoplanet astrophysics headed on over and looked at my math.
I "end" with still more to do.
Thanks
Stuart

marcus

I'm retired and not able to help any substantive way. I was impressed by your writing style: clear cogent, well organized. If I had a friend I was in touch with in the appropriate astrophysics department I could honestly recommend that he or she check out your papers. But besides encouragement and wishing you the best of luck there is little I can do.

It's great you are attending all these conferences and presenting your work.

Chronos

Hi stuart, and a belated welcome to PF! Planetary evolution is complicated, as I'm sure you are aware. Hot jupiters are a source of unending amazement to me, if for no reason other than apparently crowding out terrestrial-like planets. But, numerical studies suggest these behemoths can easily migrate to far greater distances over time - which implies, IMO, no simple conclusions can be drawn from whatever orbit we perceive an exoplanet to presently occupy.