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A dynamical test for terrestrial planets in the habitable zone of HD 204313

2014/02/12 by E. Thilliez, L. Jouvin, Thilliez, E. +5
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1402.2728

openalex publication_date 2014/02/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

With improvements in exoplanet detection techniques, the number of multiple planet systems discovered is increasing, while the detection of potentially habitable Earth-mass planets remains complicated and thus requires new search strategies. Dynamical studies of known multiple planet systems are therefore a vital tool in the search for stable and habitable planet candidates. Here, we present a dynamical study of the three-planet system HD 204313 to determine whether it could harbour an Earth-like planet within its habitable zone for a sufficient time to develop life. We found two semi-stable regions in the system, but neither prove stable for long enough for a terrestrial planet to develop life. Our investigations suggest that overlapping weak and high order resonances may be responsible for these semi-stable regions. This study established a framework for a larger project that will study the dynamical stability of the habitable zone of multiple planet systems, providing a list of interesting targets for future habitable low-mass planet searches.

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