Can Planets Be Juggled Between Binary Stars?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the feasibility of planets orbiting between binary stars, specifically the concept of planets "juggling" between stars in a figure-eight orbit. While it is theoretically possible for planets to cross the Lagrange points between stars, stability issues often prevent this from occurring. Notable binary systems with known planets include Gliese 777 and Gamma Cephei, with speculation about Alpha Centauri potentially hosting planets. Relevant studies include works by Thebault et al. and Barbieri et al. that address planetary formation and stability in binary systems.

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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.
 
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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
 
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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?
 

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