CONSTRAINING THE ORBITAL DYNAMICS OF CIRCUMBINARY SATELLITES AND EXTRASOLAR PLANETS
Binary systems, where two objects of comparable mass orbit a common barycenter, are very common in our universe. Satellites and planets orbiting these binaries, known as circumbinary objects, provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of planetary systems. The Pluto-Charon system exemplifies a circumbinary system in the Solar System, while over 16 circumbinary planets have been detected around extrasolar binaries through transit and radial velocity methods. Despite significant progress in understanding their orbital dynamics, key questions about their origins and long-term evolution remain open.
This study aims to perform a complete measurement of the orbital parameters of known circumbinary objects using the latest observations and numerical simulations, employing analytical epicyclic theory and fast Fourier transformation techniques (Lee & Peale 2006; Leung & Lee 2013; Woo & Lee 2020). Parameter uncertainties will be assessed through ensemble simulations, and discrepancies in free eccentricity will be investigated to explore the origins and evolution of Pluto’s satellites. This research seeks to uncover critical aspects of the dynamical history of circumbinary systems.
Additional information: Mr. JIANG Qunfeng, qfjiang@connect.hku.hk