Habitable planet at L4/L5 of binary gas giants?

  • Thread starter Malapine
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Malapine
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Would it be plausible to have two gas giants orbiting each other, a few million km apart, with a terrestrial planet at their mutual L4 or L5 point so that they both appear as visible disks fixed in the sky? Or would the terrestrial planet not be stable there and end up ejected?
 
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The two giants would have to have a mass ratio above approximately 25 (i.e. one of the giants has to be 25 times more massive than the other) for their L4 and L5 points to be stable (for a particle there).
 
  • #3
A possibly better question is "for how long"? A year? Easy. A hundred billion? Not so easy. In between is, well, in between.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
A possibly better question is "for how long"? A year? Easy. A hundred billion? Not so easy. In between is, well, in between.
And for a "Habitable planet" you probably need billions.
 
  • #5
IIRC, even in 'halo' orbit around those nominally stable 'points', the unfortunate planet is not safe. Rather than perturbation causing ejection, it is more likely to become an impactor...

Which, IMHO, would be something to watch. By comparison, the SL_9 fragments' was almost trivial.
( FWIW, when I wondered if Jupiter's Great Red Spot was spawned by a mega-impact, it went badly... )

Ahead or behind at 'trojan' points of the two giants' combined mass-centre, your planet may stay around for a lot longer. Long enough for life to evolve beyond single-cells ??? I doubt it...
 

1. What is a habitable planet at L4/L5 of binary gas giants?

A habitable planet at L4/L5 of binary gas giants refers to a hypothetical planet that is located at the Lagrange points 4 and 5 of a binary gas giant system. These points are stable locations where a smaller object can orbit around a larger object, while maintaining a fixed distance from both objects.

2. What are the conditions necessary for a planet to be habitable at L4/L5 of binary gas giants?

The conditions necessary for a planet to be habitable at L4/L5 of binary gas giants include a suitable atmosphere, liquid water, and a stable orbit. The planet must also receive enough sunlight to support life, but not so much that it becomes too hot. The gas giants must also be at a safe distance from each other to prevent gravitational disturbances.

3. Are there any known examples of habitable planets at L4/L5 of binary gas giants?

Currently, there are no known examples of habitable planets at L4/L5 of binary gas giants. However, scientists continue to search for potential candidates using telescopes and other instruments.

4. What are the potential benefits of a habitable planet at L4/L5 of binary gas giants?

If a habitable planet at L4/L5 of binary gas giants were to exist, it could potentially provide a unique environment for studying the formation and evolution of planetary systems. It could also offer new insights into the potential for life on other planets and the conditions necessary for habitability.

5. What challenges would a habitable planet at L4/L5 of binary gas giants face?

A habitable planet at L4/L5 of binary gas giants would face several challenges, including the potential for extreme weather conditions due to the close proximity to the gas giants. The planet may also experience tidal forces and radiation from the gas giants, which could impact its habitability. Additionally, the planet's orbit may not be stable in the long term, making it difficult for life to thrive.

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