Moon formation and habitability in the circumplanetary habitable zone
- 1Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands (vera.dobos@rug.nl)
- 2Gothard Astrophysical Observatory, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Szombathely, Hungary
- 3Konkoly Observatory, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Budapest, Hungary
We investigate the efficiency of moon formation around giant planets with numerical N-body simulations and study the habitability of Earth-sized, newly formed moons. Our results show that by the end of the moon formation process the individual mass of moons is higher, if the planet is in a close orbit around the host star. We also find that the time-scale for moon formation is shorter around close-in planets than at larger distances from the star, however, a significant number of protomoons and satellitesimals escape from the planet, decreasing moon formation efficiency. To determine the habitability of these newly formed moons, we calculate the incident stellar radiation and the tidal heating flux that can arise in moons depending on their orbital and physical parameters. We found that some of the synthetic moons orbit in the circumplanetary habitable zone. Based on our calculations, half a hundred confirmed giant planets can harbour habitable moons beyond the outer edge of the circumstellar habitable zone.
How to cite: Dobos, V., Dencs, Z., and Regály, Z.: Moon formation and habitability in the circumplanetary habitable zone, Europlanet Science Congress 2022, Granada, Spain, 18–23 Sep 2022, EPSC2022-112, https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc2022-112, 2022.
