http://arxiv.org/abs/1909.12320
The detection of Earth-size exoplanets around low-mass stars — such as Proxima Centauri b and the TRAPPIST-1 system — provide an exceptional chance to improve our understanding of the formation of planets around M stars and brown dwarfs. We explore the formation of such planets with a population synthesis code based on a planetesimal-driven model previously used to study the formation of the Jovian satellites. Because the discs have low mass and the stars are cool, the formation is an inefficient process that happens at low periods, generating compact planetary systems. Planets can be trapped in resonances and we follow the evolution of the planets after the gas has dissipated and they undergo orbit crossings and possible mergers. We find that planet formation in the planetesimal accretion scenario is only possible around stars with masses $M_{\star} \ge 0.07 M_{sun}$ and discs of $M_{disc} \ge 10^{-2}~M_{sun} $. Hence, in order to form planets ($M_p \ge 0.1 M_{\oplus}$) around low-mass stars ($0.05 \le M_{\star} \le 0.25 M_{sun}$), relatively massive discs are required. Our results show that one third of the synthetic planetary systems have at least one planet with $M_p \ge 1 M_{\oplus}$, but we are not able to form planets larger than $5 M_{\oplus}$, showing that planets such as GJ 3512b form with another, more efficient mechanism. We find that the large majority of the planets formed have a large water content and most of our synthetic planetary systems have 1, 2 or 3 planets, but planets with 4,5,6 and 7 planets are also common, confirming that compact planetary systems with many planets should be a relatively common outcome of planet formation around small stars. Our results provide information to guide current and future surveys and aid in the interpretation of TESS and PLATO data.
Y. Miguel, A. Cridland, C. Ormel, et. al.
Mon, 30 Sep 19
27/55
Comments: Submitted to MNRAS
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