On the Formation of Giant Exoplanets
In a paper to be published in Astronomy and Astrophysics, available online now here, astronomers report their results of the modeling of planet formation in a system that develops within a cluster of stars, and has a type of gravitational encounter with a neighbor. The authors note that “the majority of stars in the Galaxy are thought to have formed within stellar clusters.” So they exercised a series of computer models where they “consider the effect on both the mass accretion and the migration history as a function of encounter distance.” They conclude that “planets that undergo such encounters are expected to be more massive.” While the paper is mathematically rigorous, there are some fascinating graphics that all should find of interest.