Distribution of planets material

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the distribution of planetary materials in solar systems, focusing on the proportions of solid, fluid, and gas planets, as well as the prevalence of atmospheres among these planets. Participants explore theoretical frameworks and observational data related to these distributions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that planets close to their stars are typically hot and rocky with minimal atmospheres, but this view is challenged by the existence of 'hot Jupiters'.
  • There is a question regarding the existence of a natural distribution of planets, with some arguing that it is influenced by the mass and temperature of the host star.
  • Participants inquire about theoretical calculations for planetary distributions beyond our solar system.
  • One participant notes that the current data on Jupiter-sized planets may be skewed due to observational biases, raising questions about the reliability of early data.
  • There is speculation about a correlation between the metallicity of stars and the presence of hot Jupiters, with some suggesting that higher metallicity may lead to larger planets.
  • Another participant mentions that both formation models for planets and their metallicity correlations are under investigation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the existence of a natural distribution of planets and the implications of observational data, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include uncertainties regarding the observational data and its interpretation, as well as the dependence on definitions of terms like 'metallicity' and 'hot Jupiters'.

mersecske
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Can we know something of the distribution of planets material in general?

I mean, the percentage of solid, fluid, gas planets in general (maybe theoretically) in solar systems. And percentage of planets with atmospheres?
 
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Well, we know that most planets that are the close to the sun are usually really hot and rocky, and tend to have very tiny atmosphere, if at all. Going past the rocky planets you tend to see gas giants. I haven't heard of there being a natural distribution. It all depends on the mass and temperature of the host sun.
 
Are there any theoretical calculation?
I mean, for not our sun, but in general?
 
"most planets that are close to the sun are usually really hot and rocky"

Unfortunately, the crop of 'hot jupiters' has put paid to such simplicity...
;-((
You should check the star's metallicity as this provides a clue to possible construction materials...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallicity
 
Just goes to show that there's no natural distribution.
 
mersecske said:
Can we know something of the distribution of planets material in general?

We are learning more as we get more data.

The problem is that the data is just coming in, and since it's early data it's not clear how much is observational and how much is real. For example, we are seeing a lot of Jupiter-sized planets near stars, but how much of that it because those types of planets are easier to detect is unclear right now.

Stay tuned.
 
Unsurprisingly, big planets comprise the majority of extrasolar bodies discovered thus far. Kepler is better suited to find smaller, rocky planets.
 
I would also suspect that presence of hot jupiters could depend on Metallicity of the stars... Is there a correlation? you won't find any rocky planets around type III stars, but there still are hot jupiters around high-metallicity stars...
 
kamenjar said:
I would also suspect that presence of hot jupiters could depend on Metallicity of the stars... Is there a correlation? you won't find any rocky planets around type III stars, but there still are hot jupiters around high-metallicity stars...

There is a strong correlation between metallicity and the size of planets and the presence of a Hot Jupiter. Just why is under investigation as both the formation models invoked can make such planets, with similar metallicity correlations, from what I have read.
 
  • #10
http://www.deepfly.org/TheNeighborhood/SysArch.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #11
Very useful link, thank you !
 

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