An Analytic Method to Determine Habitable Zones for S-Type Planetary Orbits in Binary Star Systems
- Author(s)
- Siegfried Eggl, Elke Pilat-Lohinger, Nikolaos Georgakarakos, Markus Gyergyovits, Barbara Funk
- Abstract
With more and more extrasolar planets discovered in and around binary star systems, questions concerning the determination of the classical habitable zone have arisen. Do the radiative and gravitational perturbations of the second star influence the extent of the habitable zone significantly, or is it sufficient to consider the host star only? In this article, we investigate the implications of stellar companions with different spectral types on the insolation a terrestrial planet receives orbiting a Sun-like primary. We present time-independent analytical estimates and compare them to insolation statistics gained via high precision numerical orbit calculations. Results suggest a strong dependence of permanent habitability on the binary's eccentricity, as well as a possible extension of habitable zones toward the secondary in close binary systems.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Astrophysics
- External organisation(s)
- Independent researcher
- Journal
- The Astrophysical Journal: an international review of astronomy and astronomical physics
- Volume
- 752
- ISSN
- 0004-637X
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/752/1/74
- Publication date
- 2012
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 103003 Astronomy
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/c91df136-062e-4456-b81e-d5ae865db458