Dynamics of Rotation of Super-Earths
arXiv:1205.5704 · doi:10.1007/s10569-013-9496-5
Abstract
We numerically investigate the dynamics of rotation of several close-in terrestrial exoplanet candidates. In our model, the rotation of the planet is disturbed by the torque of the central star due to the asymmetric equilibrium figure of the planet. We model the shape of the planet by a Jeans spheroid. We use surfaces of section and spectral analysis to explore numerically the rotation phase space of the systems adopting different sets of parameters and initial conditions close to the main spin-orbit resonant states. One of the parameters, the orbital eccentricity, is critically discussed here within the domain of validity of orbital circularization timescales given by tidal models. We show that, depending on some parameters of the system like the radius and mass of the planet, eccentricity etc, the rotation can be strongly perturbed and a chaotic layer around the synchronous state may occupy a significant region of the phase space. 55 Cnc e is an example.
In Press. Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronomy. 30 pages, 9 figures
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Cited by in corpus (7)
- Atmosphere-interior exchange on hot rocky exoplanets
- Resonant periodic orbits in the exoplanetary systems
- Tidal evolution of close-in exoplanets in co-orbital configurations
- JWST reveals a rapid and strong day side variability of 55 Cancri e
- Spin evolution of Earth-sized exoplanets, including atmospheric tides and core-mantle friction
- The Spin-Orbit Evolution of GJ 667C System: The Effect of Composition and Other Planet's Perturbations
- The tidal heating of the exoplanet 55 Cnc e. The role of the orbital eccentricity