Dynamical Stability of Terrestrial Planets in the Binary α Centauri System

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate whether hypothetical Earth-like planets have high probability of remaining on stable orbits inside the habitable zones around the stars A and B of α Centauri, for lengths of time compatible with the evolution of life. We introduce a stability criterion based on the solution of the restricted three-body problem and apply it to the α Centauri system. In this way, we determine the regions of the short-term stability of the satellite-type (S-type) planetary orbits, in both planar and three-dimensional cases. We also study the long-term stability of hypothetical planets through the dynamical mapping of the habitable zones of the stars. The topology of the maps is analyzed using the semi-analytical secular Hamiltonian model and possible processes responsible for long-lasting instabilities are identified. We verify that the planetary motion inside the habitable zones is regular, regardless of high eccentricities, for inclinations smaller than 40°. We show that the variation of the orbital distance of the planet located in the habitable zones of the binary is comparable to that of Earth, if the planet is close to the Mode I stationary solution. This result brings positive expectations for finding habitable planets in binary stars.

12 pages, 8 figures, accepted by MNRAS

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• The radii and limb darkenings of Alpha Centauri A and B - Interferometric measurements with VLTI/PIONIER
• The Center of Light: Spectroastrometric Detection of Exomoons
• Close stellar conjunctions of alpha Centauri A and B until 2050 - An mK = 7.8 star may enter the Einstein ring of alpha Cen A in 2028
• Orbital Stability of Circumstellar Planets in Binary Systems
• Constraining the Radiation and Plasma Environment of the Kepler Circumbinary Habitable Zone Planets
• Milankovitch Cycles of Terrestrial Planets in Binary Star Systems
• Implications of Captured Interstellar Objects for Panspermia and Extraterrestrial Life
• Secular Dynamics of S-type Planetary Orbits in Binary Star Systems: Applicability Domains of First- and Second-Order Theories
• Galactic perturbations on the population of wide binary stars with exoplanets
• Long-Term Stability of Planets in the $\alpha$ Centauri System, II: Forced Eccentricities
• Stability of multiplanet systems in binaries
• Europium as a lodestar: diagnosis of radiogenic heat production in terrestrial exoplanets
• Lidov-Kozai stability regions in the alpha Centauri system
• Evolution of $\alpha$ Centauri B's protoplanetary disc
• The PAIRS project: a global formation model for planets in binaries. II. Gravitational perturbation effects from secondary stars