Binary Stars and Their Planets

[Quantum_Grid]

I have a question regarding binary or multiple star systems and their [hypothetical] orbiting planets. I am curious if it is common (or even possible) for one or more of the orbiting planets to constantly switch the star they are orbiting, as in a figure eight shape. Can the stars "trade the planet" back and forth, as if juggling the planet? If so, are there any notable examples of this happening? I really don't know much about how this all works, I start my first year physics course this fall in school.

I hope the question makes sense, if not, ask me and I will try and clarify some.

 

[Astronuc]

Only if the planet(s) would cross the Lagrange point between the stars. Usually however, planets are much closer to one of the stars.

There are a few binaries known to have planets, e.g., Gliese 777 and Gamma Cephei (γ Cephei)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gliese_777
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamma_Cephei

Some astronomers think there is a chance that Alpha Centauri could have planets
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Cenaturi#Possibility_of_planets

Thebault, P., Marzazi, F., Scholl, H.. "Planet formation in the habitable zone of alpha centauri B". Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.
http://arxiv.org/abs/0811.0673

But there is an issue of stability of planets in orbit around binary systems.
M. Barbieri, F. Marzari, H. Scholl (2002). "Formation of terrestrial planets in close binary systems: The case of α Centauri A". Astronomy & Astrophysics 396: 219 – 224.
http://www.aanda.org/index.php?option=article&access=doi&doi=10.1051/0004-6361:20021357

See this paper with respect to the search for substellar (planetary) masses around stars
Campbell, B., Walker, G. A. H., & Yang, S., A search for substellar companions to solar-type stars
http://adsbit.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-iarticle_query?bibcode=1988ApJ...331..902C

 

[Quantum_Grid]

Cool, thanks for the info.

Is figuring out the orbit of these planets around these stars a matter of relativity equations or something?

I have seen computer programs that model galaxy collisions, are there also programs that model planetary orbits, one that could potentially model this specific case? I don't know why this came to me, but the idea of a planet being juggled betwixt two or more stars just seems like a fascinating scenario. Am I alone in this?