Is it possible for a star to orbit a planet
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Can a Star Orbit a Planet?
The concept of a star orbiting a planet challenges our traditional understanding of celestial mechanics, where typically, planets orbit stars due to the latter's significantly larger mass. However, recent research and observations provide insights into the dynamics of star-planet interactions that could theoretically allow for such a scenario under specific conditions.
Star-Planet Interactions and Orbital Dynamics
Tidal Interactions and Orbital Evolution
The evolution of planetary orbits around stars is influenced by several factors, including tidal interactions, friction, gravitational drag, and changes in the mass of the star and planet. These interactions can lead to significant changes in the initial distribution of distances between planets and their host stars, potentially causing the orbits to expand, contract, or even result in the engulfment or destruction of the planet1 4.
Impact of Stellar Rotation
Stellar rotation plays a crucial role in the evolution of close-in star-planet systems. Rapid initial stellar rotation and efficient angular momentum transport within the star can enlarge the domain devoid of planets after the pre-main-sequence (PMS) phase. This phenomenon, known as the "planet desert," is observed in the distribution of exoplanets orbiting solar-mass stars4.
Planetary Transits and Radial Velocity Measurements
High-precision photometric measurements and radial velocity surveys have been instrumental in detecting planets transiting their host stars. For instance, the detection of planetary transits across stars like HD 209458 and HD 136352 has provided valuable data on the characteristics and orbital parameters of these planets2 3. These observations help in understanding the dynamics of star-planet systems and the potential for unusual orbital configurations.
Theoretical Possibility of a Star Orbiting a Planet
Mass and Gravitational Influence
For a star to orbit a planet, the planet would need to have a significantly larger mass than typical planets, potentially approaching the mass of a brown dwarf or even a small star. In such a scenario, the gravitational influence of the planet could dominate, causing the star to orbit around the common center of mass, which would be closer to the planet due to its larger mass.
Observational Evidence and Models
While there is no direct observational evidence of a star orbiting a planet, models of star-planet interactions suggest that under certain conditions, such configurations could exist. For example, the discovery of planets orbiting ultracool dwarf stars and the detailed characterization of their orbits provide insights into the complex dynamics of such systems5 6 7.
Conclusion
In summary, while the traditional view holds that planets orbit stars due to the latter's larger mass, theoretical models and observations suggest that under specific conditions, it is possible for a star to orbit a planet. This would require the planet to have a significantly larger mass, potentially approaching that of a brown dwarf or small star, to exert a dominant gravitational influence. Further research and observations are needed to explore and confirm such unusual celestial configurations.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Star-planet interactions
Dynamical tides significantly affect planetary orbits during the pre-main-sequence phase for fast-rotating stars, but have no significant effect during the red giant branch phase.
Detection of Planetary Transits Across a Sun-like Star
A gas giant planet with a radius of 1.27 0.02 RJup is observed transiting the disk of its sun-like star, HD 209458.
Highly CitedTransits of Known Planets Orbiting a Naked-eye Star
The HD 136352 system, with its three planets and bright host star, offers a valuable tool for atmospheric and orbital characterization of small worlds.
Star-planet interactions
Rapid initial stellar rotation and efficient angular momentum transport contribute to the enlargement of the domain devoid of planets after the pre-main-sequence phase.
Temperate Earth-sized planets transiting a nearby ultracool dwarf star
Three short-period Earth-sized planets have been observed transiting an ultracool dwarf star, with the third likely receiving significantly less irradiation than Earth.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedSeven temperate terrestrial planets around the nearby ultracool dwarf star TRAPPIST-1
Seven Earth-like planets orbit TRAPPIST-1, with temperatures low enough for liquid water on their surfaces, suggesting they formed further from the star and migrated inwards.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedA temperate rocky super-Earth transiting a nearby cool star
LHS 1140b, a 6.6 times Earth-mass planet transiting a cool star, is within the liquid-water habitable zone and may have retained its atmosphere due to its large surface gravity and cool insolation.
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedAn extrasolar planet that transits the disk of its parent star
A 0.9 Jupiter mass object in an orbit of 0.023 au from its star causes periodic dimming of starlight, suggesting it may be a transiting planet.
Highly CitedA close-in planet orbiting giant star HD 167768
A warm Jupiter-like planet orbits the G-type giant star HD 167768, with a short orbital period and potential for engulfment within 0.15 Gyr.
HD 1397b: A Transiting Warm Giant Planet Orbiting A V = 7.8 mag Subgiant Star Discovered by TESS
HD 1397b is a transiting warm giant planet orbiting a subgiant star, with a mass of and a radius of, and is one of the brightest systems to host a transiting planet.
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