Distribution of planets material

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SUMMARY

The distribution of planetary materials in solar systems varies significantly based on the mass and temperature of the host star. Observational data indicates that rocky planets are typically found closer to the star, while gas giants, including hot Jupiters, are more prevalent at greater distances. The presence of these planets is strongly correlated with the star's metallicity, influencing both the size of the planets and the likelihood of hot Jupiters existing. Current research is ongoing to clarify the relationship between stellar metallicity and planetary formation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of stellar metallicity and its implications in planetary formation
  • Familiarity with the Kepler Space Telescope and its role in exoplanet discovery
  • Knowledge of planetary classifications: rocky, gas giants, and hot Jupiters
  • Basic concepts of observational astronomy and data interpretation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the correlation between stellar metallicity and exoplanet characteristics
  • Explore the findings from the Kepler Space Telescope regarding rocky planets
  • Investigate current theories on the formation of hot Jupiters
  • Study the implications of observational bias in exoplanet detection
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Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students interested in planetary science and the dynamics of exoplanet formation.

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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