Warm Jupiter Tidal Migration Can Spare Inner Planets; Hot Jupiter Tidal Migration May Not

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Authors: Juliette Becker
Cited by: 1
References: 70

Abstract

Abstract In this work, we investigate the dynamical survival of short-period inner planets during the high-eccentricity tidal migration of companion exterior giant planets. Using a combination of analytic arguments and N -body simulations, including equilibrium tides and general relativistic precession, we find the boundary in parameter space where an inner companion can remain dynamically stable. We find that survival requires a periastron separation exceeding roughly 14 mutual Hill radii at closest approach. Below this threshold, secular eccentricity exchange, orbit crossing, and/or tidal evolution can lead to the destruction of the inner planet. We apply our methodology to the current exoplanet sample and find that none of the known systems containing a short-period giant and an inner companion could have assembled via high-eccentricity tidal migration. However, warm Jupiters with larger periastron distances ( q out ∼ 0.05–0.08 au, corresponding to final observed semimajor axis values a out ∼ 0.10–0.16 au) can allow the survival of short-period inner planets while potentially also circularizing on ≲1 Gyr timescales. Our results provide a framework for distinguishing disk migration from tidal migration in observed multi-planet systems containing close-in gas giants.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Stellar planetary and galactic studies Astro and Planetary Science Astronomy and Astrophysical Research

Publication details

Journal / source
The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Volume
997
Issue
2
Pages
327–327
Publication date
29 January 2026