An analytic method to determine habitable zones for S-type planetary orbits in binary star systems

Siegfried Eggl, Elke Pilat-Lohinger, Nikolaos Georgakarakos, Markus Gyergyovits, Barbara Funk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number74
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume752
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 10 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • astrobiology
  • celestial mechanics
  • methods: analytical
  • planet-star interactions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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