Space Journey Beyond Earth: Exploring the properties of exoplanets and multi-planetary systems
Abstract
In contrast to the observed exoplanet diversity, planets within many multi-planetary systems exhibit intra-system similarities in their radii, masses, and orbital spacings. This thesis investigates the planetary properties and system architectures, focusing on the intra-system similarities, the inferred planetary interior compositions, and the differences between single- and multi-planetary systems. Paper A shows that planets within the same system tend to have similar orbital spacings even when their sizes or masses differ. The spacing similarity is more pronounced in orbital period ratios than in mutual Hill separations, while the period ratios are more strongly correlated with the masses than with the radii of adjacent planets. These results indicate that uniform orbital spacings represent a common architectural property and are not necessarily associated with similarities in planetary size or mass. Paper B compares transiting planets in observed single- and multi-planetary systems. After excluding hot Jupiters, the distributions of planet types and radii of singles and multis orbiting FGK stars show no significant differences, suggesting a common underlying planet population. Around FGK host stars, however, an overabundance of multis is identified within a specific planet radius range. Paper C finds that non-gas-giant planets in systems hosting detected gas giants are, on average, larger, more massive, and more irregularly spaced than planets in systems without detected gas giants. Adjacent planets exhibit significant similarities in radius, mass, and bulk density, whereas their inferred core and water mass fractions show substantial scatter and no strong correlations. These results indicate that similarities in bulk properties do not necessarily translate into similarities in compositions. These studies place new constraints on the processes governing planet formation and evolution.
Versions
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BibTeX
@misc{muresan2026space,
title = {{Space Journey Beyond Earth: Exploring the properties of exoplanets and multi-planetary systems}},
author = {Alexandra Muresan},
howpublished = {arXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.48550/arxiv.2609.38449},
eprint = {2609.38449},
archivePrefix = {arXiv},
url = {https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.38449},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Space Journey Beyond Earth: Exploring the properties of exoplanets and multi-planetary systems
AU - Alexandra Muresan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
PB - arXiv
DO - 10.48550/arxiv.2609.38449
UR - https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.38449
AB - In contrast to the observed exoplanet diversity, planets within many multi-planetary systems exhibit intra-system similarities in their radii, masses, and orbital spacings. This thesis investigates the planetary properties and system architectures, focusing on the intra-system similarities, the inferred planetary interior compositions, and the differences between single- and multi-planetary systems. Paper A shows that planets within the same system tend to have similar orbital spacings even when their sizes or masses differ. The spacing similarity is more pronounced in orbital period ratios than in mutual Hill separations, while the period ratios are more strongly correlated with the masses than with the radii of adjacent planets. These results indicate that uniform orbital spacings represent a common architectural property and are not necessarily associated with similarities in planetary size or mass. Paper B compares transiting planets in observed single- and multi-planetary systems. After excluding hot Jupiters, the distributions of planet types and radii of singles and multis orbiting FGK stars show no significant differences, suggesting a common underlying planet population. Around FGK host stars, however, an overabundance of multis is identified within a specific planet radius range. Paper C finds that non-gas-giant planets in systems hosting detected gas giants are, on average, larger, more massive, and more irregularly spaced than planets in systems without detected gas giants. Adjacent planets exhibit significant similarities in radius, mass, and bulk density, whereas their inferred core and water mass fractions show substantial scatter and no strong correlations. These results indicate that similarities in bulk properties do not necessarily translate into similarities in compositions. These studies place new constraints on the processes governing planet formation and evolution.
ER -