Back to Search Start Over

Accounting for Multiplicity in Calculating Eta Earth

Authors :
Zink, Jon K.
Hansen, Bradley M. S.
Source :
MNRAS, 2019, Volume 487, Issue 1, p.246-252
Publication Year :
2019

Abstract

Using the updated exoplanet population parameters of our previous study, which includes the planetary radius updates from Gaia DR2 and an inferred multiplicity distribution, we provide a revised $\eta_{\oplus}$ calculation. This is achieved by sampling planets from our derived population model and determining which planets meet our criterion for habitability. To ensure robust results, we provide probabilities calculated over a range of upper radius limits. Our most optimistic criterion for habitability provides an $\eta_{\oplus}$ value of $0.34\pm 0.02 \frac{\rm planets}{\rm star}$. We also consider the effects of multiplicity and the number of habitable planets each system may contain. Our calculation indicates that $6.4\pm0.5\%$ of GK dwarfs have more than one planet within their habitable zone. This optimistic habitability criterion also suggests that $0.036\pm0.009\%$ of solar-like stars will harbor 5 or more habitable planets. These tightly packed highly habitable system should be extremely rare, but still possible. Even with our most pessimistic criterion we still expect that $1.8\pm0.2\%$ of solar-like stars harbor more than one habitable planet.<br />Comment: 7 pages, 1 figure; Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
MNRAS, 2019, Volume 487, Issue 1, p.246-252
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1905.01032
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz1246