On the Habitability of Terrestrial Planets in Binary Star Systems

Elke Pilat-Lohinger, Barbara Funk, Siegfried Eggl

Publications: Contribution to bookContribution to proceedings

Abstract

The growing number of detected planets in binary star systems requires methods for a quick assessment of possible habitability of planets in such environments. We offer an analytic method to determine habitability of a terrestrial planet in binary star systems. In this context we give an answer to the most important question: Do the radiative and gravitational perturbations of a secondary influence the extent of the habitable zone (HZ)? After we have defined the borders of the HZ, we will show the dynamical behaviour of a terrestrial planet in the HZ when adding a Jupiter to the system. In such a system the HZ shows signs of mean motion resonances and secular resonances, depending on the architecture of the planetary system.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationFormation, Detection, and Characterization of Extrasolar Habitable Planets
PublisherInternational Astronomical Union
Pages140-145
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9781107033825
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2014

Publication series

SeriesProceedings of the International Astronomical Union
NumberS293
Volume8
ISSN1743-9213

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

  • 103003 Astronomy
  • 103004 Astrophysics

Keywords

  • Binaries: general
  • n-body simulations
  • numerical
  • planetary systems

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