Extrasolar Planet Trends

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Extrasolar Planet Trends

• Lisa Will (SDCC)

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Research Focus

• Do extrasolar planets follow similar trends to
  planets in our solar system?
• This project can be completed with the
  Interactive Extrasolar Planets Catalog available
  at http//exoplanet.eu
• Based on previous observations of our solar
  system, we would expect planets of varying sizes
  and distances from the parent star.

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Context

• This experiment builds on the knowledge of the
  solar system developed in previous exercises.
• The experiment would be a part of the discussion
  of how solar systems form
• Do other solar systems exist?
• Is our solar system a model for others?

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Method

• Interactive Extrasolar Planet Catalog
• Histograms
• Correlation diagrams
• gt Play with these functions!
• Many combinations of variables (number of
  planets, discovery date, radius, semi-major axis,
  mass, etc) are investigated to look for trends

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Assessment

• Students would be assessed on correctly
  interpreting the data.
• Students would be expected to obtain enough data
  to perceive trends.

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Data Summary
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Data Summary
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Data Summary
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Data Summary
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Data Summary
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Data Summary

• Extrasolar planets orbit close to their parent
  stars (similar to our Terrestrials).
• Extrasolar planets are massive (similar to our
  Jovians).
• Extrasolar planets are recent discoveries.

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Conclusion

• Extrasolar planets do not resemble the variety of
  planets in our solar system.
• Extrasolar planets can be more massive than
  Jupiter.
• Extrasolar planets can orbit extremely close to
  the parent star.
• No terrestrial planets exist in these systems.

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Implications

• We may not be seeing all of the planets in these
  systems.
• The discovery dates point to recent discoveries
• Are these planets newly born?
• Are these discoveries a function of technology?

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Educator Implications

• This type of experiment has a few problems
• Experiment can be done mindlessly
• Students can leave without understanding why we
  see so many large planets/close to parent stars.
  
• Great potential for future discussion
• Modeling planetary formation just on our solar
  system does not give us all the answers!
• Understanding limitations of methodology!