2013/09/05 by James P. Lloyd, J. I. Lunine, Lloyd, James P. +17
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1309.1520
openalex publication_date 2013/09/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This white paper discusses a repurposed mission for the Kepler spacecraft\nthat focusses on solving outstanding problems in planet formation and evolution\nby targeting the study of the hot Jupiter population of young stars. This\nmission can solve the question of the mode of migration of hot Jupiters,\naddress the problem of whether Jupiters form by hot-start (gravitational\ninstability) or cold-start (core accretion) mechanisms, and provide a wealth of\ndata on the early stages of planetary system evolution during the active phases\nof stars which impact planetary habitability. In one year of observations of\nthree weeks dwell time per field, Kepler would increase by more than an order\nof magnitude the number of known hot Jupiters, which can be followed up with\nfast cadence observations to to search for transit timing variations and to\nperform asteroseismological characterization of the host stars. This mission\nscenario continues to operate Kepler in the photometric monitoring mode for\nwhich it was designed, and is generally flexible with regards to field\nselection enabling prioritization of fuel usage and attitude control\nconstraints.\n