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(Unpublished)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