Confirming the Longest Known Resonant Chain of Exoplanets in the K2-138 System

Leonard Feil
The K2-138 system consists of seven planets, five of which have been suggested to be in a resonant chain, a repeated geometric configuration. To confirm the existence of this chain, we various run N-body simulations via Rebound. We find that all orbital parameters and planetary masses that are consistent with previous studies lead to the system being in a resonant chain. This confirmation allows future studies to constrain the planets’ densities through estimating their masses.
Major: 
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Exhibition Category: 
Physical Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Rebekah Dawson
Poster Number: 
107