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Observational Tests of the Formation, Migration, and Evolution Processes of Gas Giant Planets

Sozzetti, Alessandro (2005) Observational Tests of the Formation, Migration, and Evolution Processes of Gas Giant Planets. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

We have conducted a set of experiments aimed at improving our knowledge of the formation, migration, and evolution processes of gas giant planets, utilizing a combination of spectroscopic, photometric, and astrometric techniques.First, the distributions of planet masses and orbital elements, different correlations among them, and measurable differences in planetary frequency are likely to be generated by diverse planetary formation scenarios and evolution mechanisms as well as different characteristics of the parent star (binarity, spectral type metallicity, age). We have found new evidence for a correlation between the orbital periods of extrasolar planets and the metallicity of the host stars. We have undertaken a precision radial-velocity survey of a sample of 200 metal-poor stars, to confirm or disprove the correlation, to refine our understanding of the dependence of planetary frequency on the metallicity of the host stars, and to put constraints on proposed models of giant planet formation.Second, the internal structure and composition of the atmospheres of close-in giant planets can be better understood if measurements of their radii and actual masses are available, for a range of different planet host spectral types. We have measured the spectroscopic orbit of TrES-1, the transiting Jupiter-sized planet of a moderately bright K0V star, and by improving on the determination of the stellar parameters, we havederived accurate estimates of its radius and mass.Finally, the actual source responsible for eccentricity excitation could be understood andthe long-term dynamical evolution better characterized if coplanarity measurements of multiple-planet orbits were to be carried out. We have quantified the ability of the Space Interferometry Mission to obtain accuratemeasurements of the actual masses, orbital parameters, and relative inclination angles for systems of giant planets around stars in the solar neighborhood.We conclude describing four experiments to investigate further the transiting planet TrES-1 and its parent star. These are: 1) infrared observations of the secondary eclipse; 2) high-precision visible wavelength observations of the primary eclipse; 3) a detailed chemical abundance analysis of the host star; 4) a direct distance measurement for the system.


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Details

Item Type: University of Pittsburgh ETD
Status: Unpublished
Creators/Authors:
CreatorsEmailPitt UsernameORCID
Sozzetti, Alessandroasozzetti@cfa.harvard.edu
ETD Committee:
TitleMemberEmail AddressPitt UsernameORCID
Committee ChairTurnshek, David Aturnshek@quasar.phyast.pitt.eduTURNSHEK
Committee CoChairLatham, David Wdlatham@cfa.harvard.edu
Committee MemberConnolly, Andrew Jajc@phyast.pitt.edu
Committee MemberHapke, Bruce Whapke@pitt.eduHAPKE
Committee MemberBoyanovsky, Danielboyan@pitt.eduBOYAN
Committee MemberHillier, John Djdh@phyast.pitt.eduHILLIER
Date: 10 October 2005
Date Type: Completion
Defense Date: 25 May 2005
Approval Date: 10 October 2005
Submission Date: 25 July 2005
Access Restriction: No restriction; Release the ETD for access worldwide immediately.
Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs: Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences > Physics
Degree: PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
Thesis Type: Doctoral Dissertation
Refereed: Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords: Planetary Systems
Other ID: http://etd.library.pitt.edu/ETD/available/etd-07252005-143144/, etd-07252005-143144
Date Deposited: 10 Nov 2011 19:53
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2016 13:46
URI: http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/8584

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