Some thoughts on the evolution of planetary systems

[WeepingElf]

I wish to discuss some thoughts on the evolution of planetary systems here.

As you know, there are planetary systems that are unlike ours: "hot Jupiters", "super-Earths" and the like. Indeed, there are more of those known than systems like our solar system, because they are easier to detect (the bigger a planet is and the shorter its orbital period, the easier it is to detect; of our planets, the terrestrial ones would be hard to find because they are so small, and the giants because their orbital periods are so long). Why did those "freaks" evolve?

It is now understood that giant planets evolve rather swiftly, and influence the formation of the terrestrial planets. According to the Grand Tack model, Jupiter migrated inward, bringing the accretion of the terrestrial planets (especially Mars) to a halt, before Saturn pulled it back outward, thus preventing Jupiter from becoming a "hot Jupiter" and saving the day for the terrestrial planets.

My idea is that: 1. "Hot Jupiters" form when there is no "Saturn" to pull the "Jupiter" back, and the "Jupiter" thus moves inward into a very close orbit, thereby obliterating any terrestrial planets. 2. "Super-Earths" form when there is no giant migrating to put a check on their growth, perhaps because the giants have thrown each other out of the system.

What do you think about this? Does it make sense to you?

[Keenir]

I wish to discuss some thoughts on the evolution of planetary systems here.

It is now understood that giant planets evolve rather swiftly, and influence the formation of the terrestrial planets. According to the Grand Tack model, Jupiter migrated inward, bringing the accretion of the terrestrial planets (especially Mars) to a halt, before Saturn pulled it back outward, thus preventing Jupiter from becoming a "hot Jupiter" and saving the day for the terrestrial planets.

on the other hand, at least then Europa wouldn't've had to wait for the Monolith's ignition for its ice to melt. :)

seriously, excellent points.

My idea is that: 1. "Hot Jupiters" form when there is no "Saturn" to pull the "Jupiter" back, and the "Jupiter" thus moves inward into a very close orbit, thereby obliterating any terrestrial planets. 2. "Super-Earths" form when there is no giant migrating to put a check on their growth, perhaps because the giants have thrown each other out of the system.

What do you think about this? Does it make sense to you?

Makes a lot of sense.

I've seen suggestions that Mars' and Ceres' growth were capped by the existance of Jupiter nearby...the program didn't even mention the Grand Tack, though I suspect the Grand Tack thwarted further growth a lot more than the mere existing of Jupiter did.

[Khemehekis]

on the other hand, at least then Europa wouldn't've had to wait for the Monolith's ignition for its ice to melt. :)

I wonder if the Monolith in the movie got its name from . . . well, what are the German/Yiddish words for "one" and "stone"?

[Man in Space]

on the other hand, at least then Europa wouldn't've had to wait for the Monolith's ignition for its ice to melt. :)

I wonder if the Monolith in the movie got its name from . . . well, what are the German/Yiddish words for "one" and "stone"?

Is it not TMA-1 like in the books?

[Keenir]

on the other hand, at least then Europa wouldn't've had to wait for the Monolith's ignition for its ice to melt. :)

I wonder if the Monolith in the movie got its name from . . . well, what are the German/Yiddish words for "one" and "stone"?

I think German is "Einstein"...I presume Yiddish is similar; yes?

[Khemehekis]

on the other hand, at least then Europa wouldn't've had to wait for the Monolith's ignition for its ice to melt. :)

I wonder if the Monolith in the movie got its name from . . . well, what are the German/Yiddish words for "one" and "stone"?

I think German is "Einstein"...I presume Yiddish is similar; yes?

Yep!

One day back in 2003 or 2004, I was trying to translate "monolithic corporate culture" into German. I turned "mono" and "lith" into "ein" and "stein", and, upon realizing I got "Einstein", thought, "Holy crap! So that's the subtext behind the name 'Monolith' in that SF movie?!"

[elemtilas]

According to the Grand Tack model, Jupiter migrated inward, bringing the accretion of the terrestrial planets (especially Mars) to a halt, before Saturn pulled it back outward, thus preventing Jupiter from becoming a "hot Jupiter" and saving the day for the terrestrial planets.

I find it mythologically satisfying that, far from overthrowing his father Saturn, it is Zeus Jupiter who, in his rashness to destroy Ceres, Mars, Gaia, Ishtar and Mercury, is subdued by his father and brought to heel.

[Man in Space]

I’m wary of long-term gravitational projection—with the near-total vacuum of space, even tiny nudges can have staggering effects in the long run, and there are so very many possible sources—not to mention, we don’t have every object known or mapped.