An Integrated Analysis with Predictions on the Architecture of the τ Ceti Planetary System, Including a Habitable Zone Planet
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Dietrich_2021_AJ_161_17.pdf
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Final Published Version
Affiliation
Univ Arizona, Dept AstronUniv Arizona, Lunar & Planetary Lab
Issue Date
2020-12-07
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IOP PUBLISHING LTDCitation
Dietrich, J., & Apai, D. (2020). An Integrated Analysis with Predictions on the Architecture of the τ Ceti Planetary System, Including a Habitable Zone Planet. The Astronomical Journal, 161(1), 17.Journal
ASTRONOMICAL JOURNALRights
© 2020. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.Collection Information
This item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at repository@u.library.arizona.edu.Abstract
tau Ceti is the closest single Sun-like star to the solar system and hosts a multiplanet system with four confirmed planets. The possible presence of additional planets, especially potentially habitable worlds, remains of great interest. We analyze the structure of the tau Ceti planetary system via the DYNAMITE algorithm, combining information from exoplanet population statistics and orbital dynamics with measurements of this specific system. We also expand DYNAMITE to incorporate radial velocity information. Our analysis suggests the presence of four additional planets, three of which match closely with the periods of three tentative planet candidates reported previously. We also predict at least one more planet candidate with an orbital period between similar to 270 and 470 days, in the habitable zone for tau Ceti. Based on the measured m sin i values of the confirmed planets, we also assess the possible masses and nature of the detected and undetected planets. The least massive planets and candidates are likely to be rocky, while the other planets and candidates could either be rocky or contain a significant gaseous envelope. The radial velocity observable signature from the predicted habitable zone planet candidate would likely be at or just above the noise level in current data, but should be detectable in future extremely high-precision radial velocity and direct-imaging studies.ISSN
0004-6256EISSN
1538-3881Version
Final published versionSponsors
National Aeronautics and Space Administrationae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.3847/1538-3881/abc560