2021/08/02 by Simon Müller, Ravit Helled · 37 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astronomy #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics #Exoplanet #Galaxy #Gas giant #Giant planet #Metallicity #Physics #Planet #Planetary mass #Planetary system #RADIUS #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph.EP #astro-ph.IM
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/mnras/stab2250
published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 507(2), 2094-2102 (Oxford University Press) · 9 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRAS
arxiv created 2021/08/02 · openalex publication_date 2021/08/08 · openalex created_date 2021/08/16 · arxiv updated 2021/08/18 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/06
ABSTRACT Giant planet evolution models play a crucial role in interpreting observations and constraining formation pathways. However, the simulations can be slow or prohibitively difficult. To address this issue, we calculate a large suite of giant planet evolution models using a state-of-the-art planetary evolution code. Using these data, we create the python program planetsynth that generates synthetic cooling tracks by interpolation. Given the planetary mass, bulk and atmospheric metallicity, and incident stellar irradiation, the program calculates how the planetary radius, luminosity, effective temperature, and surface gravity evolve with time. We demonstrate the capabilities of our models by inferring time-dependent mass–radius diagrams, estimating the metallicities from mass–radius measurements, and by showing how atmospheric measurements can further constrain the planetary bulk composition. We also estimate the mass and metallicity of the young giant planet 51 Eri b from its observed luminosity. Synthetic evolution tracks have many applications, and we suggest that they are valuable for both theoretical and observational investigations into the nature of giant planets.