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lifeonmercury
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How can planets exist in star systems with two or three stars? Shouldn't the planets' orbits get severely disturbed by the other stars?
It seems like this quote from Wikipedia's Habitability of binary star systems article addresses this question:Comeback City said:Could there possibly be an orbital where a planet orbits both stars, but in a "figure-eight"-type pattern?
In reality, some orbital ranges are impossible for dynamical reasons (the planet would be expelled from its orbit relatively quickly
lifeonmercury said:How can planets exist in star systems with two or three stars? Shouldn't the planets' orbits get severely disturbed by the other stars?
Yes, planets can exist in binary star systems. In fact, many planets have been discovered in binary star systems, including the famous Tatooine planet from the Star Wars franchise.
The formation of planets in binary star systems is similar to that in single star systems. The two stars in the system can either form independently or from the same molecular cloud. As the stars begin to form, their gravitational pull can cause material to clump together, eventually forming into planets.
The stability of planetary orbits in binary star systems depends on a variety of factors, including the mass and distance of the stars, as well as the size and position of the planet. In some cases, planets in binary star systems can have stable orbits, while in others, their orbits can be disrupted by the gravitational pull of the stars.
Yes, it is possible for planets in binary star systems to have habitable conditions. However, this depends on various factors such as the distance from the stars, the type of stars, and the composition of the planet's atmosphere. Some binary star systems have been found to have potentially habitable planets, such as the Kepler-47 system.
There can be some differences in the characteristics of planets in binary star systems compared to those in single star systems. For example, the presence of two stars in the system can affect the amount of heat and light received by the planet, potentially altering its climate and atmosphere. Additionally, the gravitational pull of the stars can also affect the planet's orbit and rotation.