On the dynamical state of the HD 82943 planetary system

Abstract

We present new results from an analysis of radial velocity data of the HD 82943 planetary system based on 10 years of measurements obtained with the Keck telescope. Previous study has shown that the HD 82943 system has two planets that are likely in 2:1 mean-motion resonance (MMR), with the orbital periods about 220 and 440 days (Lee et al. 2006). However, alternative fits that are qualitatively different have also been suggested, with the two planets in 1:1 resonance or the addition of a third planet possibly in a Laplace 4:2:1 resonance with the other two (Gozdziewski & Konacki 2006; Beague et al. 2008). Here we use the chi-square minimization method combined with parameter grid search to investigate the orbital parameters and dynamical states of the qualitatively different types of fits. Our results tend to support the 2:1 MMR configuration for this system. The fits of coplanar 2:1 MMR show a chi-square minimum at 20 degree inclination that is dynamically stable with both resonant angles librating around 0 degree. The fits of 1:1 resonance and 3-planet Laplace resonance are ruled out according to chi-square statistic and dynamical instability.