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Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Professor Mega-Mind on 18/09/2018 03:39:47

Title: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 18/09/2018 03:39:47
   Do Red-Dwarfs eat giant rocks ?
 Do red-dwarf stars tend to draw in , and ingest , their close-in rocky planets ?  The answer, surprisingly, should be yes!  The mechanisms for such a draw-down appear to be both tidal-gravitational , and magnetic in nature . They mainly affect the closer in bodies , but since they are all tidally conjoined and synchronized , lowering one orbit lowers them all (slowly) . It is stellar rotation that does the job.  If is fast (Trappist1) then the stellar influence upholds the inner planet's orbits , while allowing further out planets to descend into resonant orbits with them .  If the stellar rotation is slow (Proxima , Ross 128) , then the magnetic and tidal drag spirals the close-in planets into the red-dwarf , leaving only further out rocky worlds . *It is suggested here that a standard be established for the likelihood of planets around red-dwarf stars. Such should include stellar mass , rotation period , and age , as well as lithium presence . 
 P.M.
.  Addendum-Modelling indicates that ALL stars slow their spin over time . The primary mechanism appears to be lateral acceleration of the star’s stellar-wind . The above forces have greater effect upon less massive & luminous stars ; slowing them preferentially , as red-dwarf stars in particular have more stellar-radiation and less rotational momentum . Less appreciated , however , is the effect of photon-momentum transfer upon these stars .  The approaching side of the star emits higher-energy photons , than the receding side .  Over time , the greater recoil engendered by this , acts to slow the star's rotation .  Heavier , and much brighter stars , will be slowed much more quickly than dimmer stars , by this effect .  Once adequately slowed , these stars will begin to tidally slow their planet's revolutions , thus drawing them in , and eventually ingesting them .
》For relevant analysis , read NSF thread: How do protoplanets form?
www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=74806.new;topicseen#new   
*Bonus Video : youtube.com/shorts/VKJzJMSn21g?si=j--EysH1VmE6-ngn
 
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 19/09/2018 06:28:03
     Do Red-Dwarfs eat Rock.s ?
 Do red-dwarf stars tend to draw in , and ingest , their close-in rocky planets ? The answer , surprisingly , appears to be yes !  The mechanisms for such a draw-down appear to be both tidal- gravitational ,and magnetic in nature . They mainly affect the closer in bodies , but since they are all tidally conjoined and synchronized , lowering one orbit lowers them all ( slowly ).  It is stellar rotation that does the job.  If is fast ( Trappist1 ) then the stellar influence upholds the inner planet's orbits , while allowing further out planets to descend into resonant orbits with them .  If the stellar rotation is slow ( Proxima , Ross 128 ) , then the magnetic and tidal drag spirals the close-in planets into the red-dwarf , leaving only further out rocky worlds . 
 It is suggested here that a standard be established for the likelihood of planets around red-dwarf stars. Such should include stellar mass , rotation period , and age , as well as lithium presence . 
OK , dwarf stars get hungry ! P.M.

What is the source for that idea?
Do you have any evidence to support it?
Why only red-dwarf stars and not Sun like stars?
How tidal- gravitational and magnetic effect the orbital path?
Why lowering one orbit lowers them all?
Based on the current evidences, the Earth is drifting away from the Sun, while the moon is also drifting away from Earth.
So, there is good chance that all planets and moons (not asteroids or broken moons) are actually drifting away from their host center.

Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 19/09/2018 11:46:11
            To : Inquisitive Dave
The evidence gives rise to the idea.
I contrast red-dwarfs with yellow dwarfs because , as you realized , yellow dwarfs lift their satellites to higher orbit ( Earth ~1Mkm. , while red-dwarfs draw theirs in .  The nearest examples of this effect are Luna ( rising tidal ) , and Phobos 
( lowering tidal ) .  These are not members of orbital-resonance chains , but if they were they would fight to stay in resonance .Examine Trappist1 b & c .  Both are part of a resonant chain , both revolve around their parent body faster than it's rotation rate .  Tidal force should drag them down towards their star, and out of orbital resonance . It tries , but cannot .  Both hold at 60 percent orbital radius , instead of the 2/3 that nature prefers ( nature prefers the simpler ratio ) .  The resonant chain experiences rising tidal force on all of the planets except these two .  The rising and sinking forces balance , and the system maintains for billions of years .  The cost of this is stellar rotational energy turned into tidally induced internal heat in the planets involved .
Okay !  Hope you learned some tidal dynamics here !  Enjoy ,  P.M. 
Note - To put it simply ; if the central-body rotates faster than the satellite revolves around it , then it lifts the satellite into a higher orbit .  If the central-body rotates slower than the satellite , then it drags it into a lower orbit .  Resonant-chains fight these effects , converting rotational energy into tidal-friction heat in the process .
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 19/09/2018 13:21:51
The nearest examples of this effect are Luna ( rising tidal ) , and Phobos ( lowering tidal ) .


Phobos is a broken moon as it is irregularly shaped object.
There is a possibility for asteroids and broken/ irregularly objects to drift inwards.
However, you won't find even one none broken moon or planet that are drifting inwards.
Hence, the idea of "lowering tidal" is none realistic.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 19/09/2018 14:14:33
           To : Skeptic Dave Lev
 Try Neptune's moon Triton .  At 1700 miles diameter it is not broken .  It travels well ahead of it's tidal bulge , and and in 3.6 billion years will reach the Roche limit , and break up . 
As the Pred. said in Predator 1 .
" Sh_t happens ! ".
P.M. 
Note - Triton is not a real a Neptunian moon .  It appears to be a captured Plutonian dwarf-planet .  The dearth of large NeptunIan moons is likely due to orbital disruption by Triton , long ago .
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 19/09/2018 14:51:36
Try Neptune's moon Triton .  At 1700 miles diameter it not broken .
Triton is also irregularly shaped object.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(moon)#/media/File:Triton_moon_mosaic_Voyager_2_(large).jpg
Hence, by definition it is a broken moon.
Please try to find none broken object.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 19/09/2018 15:45:44
I contrast red-dwarfs with yellow dwarfs because , as you realized , yellow dwarfs lift their satellites to higher orbit ( Earth ~1Mkm. , while red-dwarfs draw theirs in .  The nearest examples of this effect are Luna ( rising tidal ) , and Phobos 

The reason that our Moon rises away from the Earth whereas Phobos falls towards Mars is due to the transfer of tidal energy. The Earth spins faster than the Moon orbits around it, so the Moon can gain energy through tidal interactions with the Earth. In the process, the Earth's rotation slows down. The opposite is true of Phobos because it orbits Mars faster than Mars rotates. Neptune's satellite Triton orbits the planet in the opposite direction of its spin, which means that tidal forces slow down both Triton's orbit (drawing it in closer) and slow Neptune's rotational speed as well.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 19/09/2018 16:31:23
I contrast red-dwarfs with yellow dwarfs because , as you realized , yellow dwarfs lift their satellites to higher orbit ( Earth ~1Mkm. , while red-dwarfs draw theirs in .  The nearest examples of this effect are Luna ( rising tidal ) , and Phobos 

The reason that our Moon rises away from the Earth whereas Phobos falls towards Mars is due to the transfer of tidal energy. The Earth spins faster than the Moon orbits around it, so the Moon can gain energy through tidal interactions with the Earth. In the process, the Earth's rotation slows down. The opposite is true of Phobos because it orbits Mars faster than Mars rotates. Neptune's satellite Triton orbits the planet in the opposite direction of its spin, which means that tidal forces slow down both Triton's orbit (drawing it in closer) and slow Neptune's rotational speed as well.


Let's try to focus on evidences (For real Moons and Planets).
1.Rise away:
Do you agree that all planets in the solar system rise away from the Sun while all real moons rise away from their host planets?
2. Rotational speed
Do you agree that all planets and moons in the solar system slow down their rotational speed over time?

It seems to me that objects can't keep their current orbital radius forever. They must rise away or draw in closer over time.
Kepler formula is Ok for very limited time frame.
However, the time effect is missing in that formula.
Do you agree that due to this time effect, all real moons and planet must rise away?
If that is correct, then "Tidal" might not be the correct answer for our discussion.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 19/09/2018 18:31:06
 To : Dave Lev
 I actually must disagree with both.  Planets & moons may increase or decrease their orbital radius IF kinetic energy is added/subtracted to their revolution about their main body .  The same principle applies to satellite/central-body rotation .  I trump your Kepler w/my Newton .  Energy can't be created/destroyed , but it sure can be transferred ! 
 A yellow-dwarf planet can surely migrate inwards , and a red-dwarf planet absolutely can migrate out .  Both rotation & revolution can last forever , in theory , but in reality ; friction & other energy transfers modify these characteristics severely over time .
Alrighty then !  Didn't use " Tidal " , did use " Time " ! 
U must be one happy Homer !..P.M.
*Note : Triton appears to be a captured Kuiper-belt object ; a dwarf-planet very similar to the former planet Pluto .
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 19/09/2018 21:27:50

Both rotation & revolution can last forever , in theory , but in reality ; friction & other energy transfers modify these characteristics severely over time .


Yes, I fully agree with this statement.
Therefore, it is expected that over time as orbital object rises away, its orbital velocity decreases.

A yellow-dwarf planet can surely migrate inwards..
Would you kindly offer an example for that assumption.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 19/09/2018 21:54:05
Let's try to focus on evidences (For real Moons and Planets).
1.Rise away:
Do you agree that all planets in the solar system rise away from the Sun while all real moons rise away from their host planets?

No, I don't. As has already been pointed out, Triton and Phobos are both slowly spiraling in towards their host planets. They are "real" moons and I don't know what dictionary definition of "moon" you would be using to disqualify them as such.

Quote
2. Rotational speed
Do you agree that all planets and moons in the solar system slow down their rotational speed over time?

Without any external forces at work, yes, they would. However, tidal forces have the potential to speed them up under the right circumstances. Such should be happening with the Mars-Phobos system right now.

Quote
It seems to me that objects can't keep their current orbital radius forever. They must rise away or draw in closer over time.
Kepler formula is Ok for very limited time frame.
However, the time effect is missing in that formula.

Correct. Orbits change over long periods.

Quote
Do you agree that due to this time effect, all real moons and planet must rise away?

No. They can only rise away if there is some source of energy they can exploit that allows them to enter a higher state of potential energy (i.e. a higher orbit). Tidal forces are one such source, although solar wind and radiation pressure might also contribute a very small amount.

Quote
If that is correct, then "Tidal" might not be the correct answer for our discussion.

Tidal effects are not the only thing that affects orbits. Gravitational radiation causes planets and satellites to lose energy over time and for their orbits to decay. The Moon is rising away from us at the moment, but will eventually stop and begin moving back in once gravitational radiation becomes the dominant force at work (barring that the Sun is likely to destroy the Earth and Moon long before that happens, of course). However, orbital decay due to gravitational radiation it is an extremely slow process that is easily overwhelmed in the short term by other factors on the scale of mere planets.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: evan_au on 19/09/2018 22:59:13
It seems that this thread is focusing on very small effects over long periods of time.
- Tidal effects decrease as something like the third power of distance (inverse cube law)
- The effects of tide on the Earth-Moon distance is (just) measurable, because of the retroreflectors left on the Moon by astronauts
- The effects of tide on the Earth-Sun system would be slightly smaller than tides in the Earth-Moon system
- But 4cm in 400,000km (Earth-Moon distance) is much more significant than 4cm in 150,000,000km (Earth-Sun distance)!
- As you say, this would have a greater effect on planets orbiting very close to their parent star.

There are some more dramatic events that change the orbits of planets on short and medium timescales, especially in young planetary systems.
- In these systems, not all objects have settled into roughly circular orbits, traveling in the same direction
- Major collisions are expected, like the craters seen on the Moon, and the formation of the Moon itself
- But more subtly, any orbital resonances cause orbital irregularities to grow over periods of thousands to millions of years, causing increasing resonance interactions
- This can cause planets to swap orbits
- In extreme interactions, this can cause the smaller planet to gain enough angular momentum to be flung out of the system, or lose so much angular momentum that it is dropped into the star
- Gravitational interactions follow an inverse square law, and happens on much smaller timescales than tidal effects (inverse cube law).
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 19/09/2018 23:43:32
If a planet was 25,500,000 kilometers from the Sun, it would complete an orbit about as quickly as the Sun's equator rotates. Closer than that, and the planet orbits faster than the Sun's rotation. Under such circumstances, you'd expect tidal forces to draw the planet in towards the Sun instead of pushing it outward (very, very slowly, as evan_au points out). Once the planet passes within the Sun's roche limit (around 500,000 to 2,000,000 kilometers, depending on the physical nature of the planet itself), it would break up.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 20/09/2018 00:47:06
                  Special note
It appears that all proto-stars and Jovians form with very high rates of rotation .  Both magnetic & tidal forces then begin to slow this rotation , but at widely differing rates and times . The heavier stars have more angular momentum , yet proportionally less mass close in to transfer it to .  Consequently , they tend to spin down less , while the less massive stars spin down more . The obvious exceptions are ultra-cool red-dwarfs, brown-dwarf stars , and Jovian planets .  These lack the powerful , long-term , magnetic interactions of the heavier gas-bodies , thus they experience far less total spin-down over time . 
The clinching evidence for this effect is the relative dearth of close-in planets around slower-spinning stellar bodies .  This will presumably include slow-spinning Jovian-body systems , once we can find & observe them in detail .
 "Hokay" Nuff said !.....P.M.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 20/09/2018 00:50:48
The clinching evidence for this effect is the relative dearth of close-in planets around slower-spinning stellar bodies . 

Can you run those numbers by us, please?
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 20/09/2018 01:59:18
If you are questing for planets within 5 million miles of their  parent bodies , you will find a paucity of these around yellow-dwarf stars , let alone white/blue stars .  There are a few kamikaze planets spiraling in though .  Most of the planets you can identify as closer than 5M.mi. are around red-dwarf stars .  Our own stellar system exemplifies this : Jovian-body 4 , Yellow-dwarf 0 .
Keep in mind that the Jovian satellites could have formed even closer in , then been raised , as a resonant chain , by Jupiter's  tidal forces acting primarily upon Io .  Saturn's moon Titan could have been raised in a manner similar to our Moon .
Last interest : Trappist1 b&c must have volcanism well in excess of that of Io .  The forces , masses , & radiogenic heating involved should be far in excess of those affecting Io , the final hell-factor would be the ultra-hot , hyper-venusian atmospheres of these two worlds .
OK , Trappist1 is hot as snot !..P.M.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: evan_au on 20/09/2018 11:26:09
Quote from: Professor Mega-Mind
If you are questing for planets within 5 million miles of their  parent bodies , you will find a paucity of these around yellow-dwarf stars , let alone white/blue stars
In general, I expect that a small star would form from a small protoplanetary disk...
...and a large star from a larger protoplanetary disk.

A small protoplanetary disk would have planets close in to their red dwarf star...
... while a large protoplanetary disk would have planets forming far from their blue/white star.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 20/09/2018 12:29:39
10-4 good buddy !  A yellow-dwarf would have to slow waaay down to ingest even a Mercury .  An Earth would be absurd !  Even then it would take hundreds  of billions of  years ! Yellow star bloats up, melts planet first ! 
It's usually high-mass red-dwarfs that fit this bill !........P.M.
---------------------------------------------
》Addendum - 9/7/20 .
 It now appears that red-dwarf stars are actually more amenable to rocky-planet formation than yellow-dwarf stars . This likely is because yellow-dwarfs heat their protostellar disks to higher temperatures than red dwarfs . This would greatly facilitate stellar-wind blow-out of gas/dust from an inner stellar-system . Add orbital-forces pushing planetoids into resonant orbits , and you wind up with sparsely populated inner stellar-systems for yellow-dwarf stars . Red-dwarfs however , can wind up more crowded than Jupiter , if their stellar rotation-rates are faster than their planetary revolution-rates .
.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 23/09/2018 17:35:00
Let's try to focus on evidences (For real Moons and Planets).
1.Rise away:
Do you agree that all planets in the solar system rise away from the Sun while all real moons rise away from their host planets?

No, I don't. As has already been pointed out, Triton and Phobos are both slowly spiraling in towards their host planets. They are "real" moons and I don't know what dictionary definition of "moon" you would be using to disqualify them as such.

It is stated clearly and we can also see that Triton and Phobos are irregular objects.
Any moon or planet which has an irregular shape, must be considered as a broken object.
This broken object could be an indication that in the past it had been collide with other object.
The impact due to collision could set it into orbital decay. But this inwards direction is not due to gravitational radiation.
So, in this discussion we only focus on moons and planets with regular shape (None broken objects - I call them REAL moons and planets.)
Therefore, do you agree that as Triton and Phobos do not have a regular shape, they can't give any indication for any other none broken object (Noon or planet)?

2. Rotational speed
Do you agree that all planets and moons in the solar system slow down their rotational speed over time?

Without any external forces at work, yes, they would. However, tidal forces have the potential to speed them up under the right circumstances. Such should be happening with the Mars-Phobos system right now.
Currently, we have only tested two none broken objects. Earth and Moon.
We have found that both of them are rising outwards.
We also assume that all the other planets in the solar system are rising outwards.
So, do you agree that from statistical point of view, 100% of the tested none broken objects are rising outwards?
If that is correct, than it is solid evidence that any none broken objects (Moon, planet and even stars) must rise outwards.
If we want to believe that due to tidal or any other idea, none broken object can rise inwards - we must offer a real evidence for that.
Without it, do you agree that the idea of drifting inwards for none broken objects is only a speculation?



It seems to me that objects can't keep their current orbital radius forever. They must rise away or draw in closer over time.
Kepler formula is Ok for very limited time frame.
However, the time effect is missing in that formula.

Correct. Orbits change over long periods.

Thanks


Do you agree that due to this time effect, all real moons and planet must rise away?

No. They can only rise away if there is some source of energy they can exploit that allows them to enter a higher state of potential energy (i.e. a higher orbit). Tidal forces are one such source, although solar wind and radiation pressure might also contribute a very small amount.
You are using nice words as: Tidal, Solar wind, Radiation pressure... but so far we didn't find even one real evidence to support this hypothesis.


If that is correct, then "Tidal" might not be the correct answer for our discussion.

Tidal effects are not the only thing that affects orbits. Gravitational radiation causes planets and satellites to lose energy over time and for their orbits to decay. The Moon is rising away from us at the moment, but will eventually stop and begin moving back in once gravitational radiation becomes the dominant force at work (barring that the Sun is likely to destroy the Earth and Moon long before that happens, of course). However, orbital decay due to gravitational radiation it is an extremely slow process that is easily overwhelmed in the short term by other factors on the scale of mere planets.
Why do we believe that the Moon will eventually stop and begin moving back?
Do you agree that it is a pure speculation?
Can we offer even one evidence for that (based on none broken moon)?
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 23/09/2018 17:58:45
It is stated clearly and we can also see that Triton and Phobos are irregular objects.
Any moon or planet which has an irregular shape, must be considered as a broken object.
This broken object could be an indication that in the past it had been collide with other object.
The impact due to collision could set into orbital decay. But this inwards direction is not due to gravitational radiation.
So, in this discussion we only focus on moons and planets with regular shape (None broken objects - I call them REAL moons and planets.)
Therefore, do you agree that as Triton and Phobos do not have a regular shape, they can't give any indication for any other none broken object (Noon or planet)?

I don't agree that Triton is a "broken object". It looks quite spherical to me. It's the 7th largest moon in the Solar System. Your definition of a "real" moon has not been substantiated by a dictionary or a scientific source.

Currently, we have only tested two none broken objects. Earth and Moon.
We have found that both of them are rising outwards.
We also assume that all the other planets in the solar system are rising outwards.
So, do you agree that from statistical point of view, 100% of the tested none broken objects are drifting outwards?

No. Triton is not "broken".

Quote
If that is correct, than it is solid evidence that any none broken objects (Moon, planet and even stars) must rise outwards.

Not without a mechanism to give them energy to rise against a gravitational potential.

Quote
If we want to believe that due to tidal or any other idea, none broken object can rise inwards - we must offer a real evidence for that.

The laws of physics demand it. Things don't spontaneously rise away from a gravitational source without some source of energy. That would violate conservation of energy.

Quote
Without it, do you agree that the idea of rising inwards for none broken objects is only a speculation?

Absolutely not. Triton is not a "broken" object.

Quote
You are using nice words as: Tidal, Solar wind, Radiation pressure... but so far we didn't find even one real evidence to support this hypothesis.

The laws of physics are the evidence. Things don't spontaneously fall "up".

Quote
Why do we believe that the Moon will eventually stop and begin moving back?
Do you agree that it is a pure speculation?
Can we offer even one evidence for that (based on none broken moon)?

When the Earth and Moon become tidally-locked, there will be no more rotational energy left for the Earth to donate to the Moon's orbit. Without any more energy coming in, the Moon has to stop. Energy doesn't come out of nowhere.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 23/09/2018 18:24:54
No. Triton is not "broken".
Absolutely not. Triton is not a "broken" object.

Please look again on Triton shape:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(moon)#/media/File:Triton_moon_mosaic_Voyager_2_(large).jpg
Is it a regular shape???
Don't you see that it looks as a broken ball?
The shorter diameter in one side is less than 2/3 of the longer side.
Do you agree with that?

Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: chiralSPO on 23/09/2018 19:34:16
No. Triton is not "broken".
Absolutely not. Triton is not a "broken" object.

Please look again on Triton shape:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(moon)#/media/File:Triton_moon_mosaic_Voyager_2_(large).jpg
Is it a regular shape???
Don't you see that it looks as a broken ball?
The shorter diameter in one side is less than 2/3 of the longer side.
Do you agree with that?



ummm... perhaps you are confused by the shadow on the moon (just like our own moon, triton is only illuminated by the sun on one side, so it would appear to have different "phases" depending on what angle it is observed at compared to where the sun is)

In the same wikipedia page that contains the image you linked to it reports Triton's radius as 1353.4±0.9 km... not exactly a huge deviation from spherical.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 23/09/2018 23:18:09
Please look again on Triton shape:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_(moon)#/media/File:Triton_moon_mosaic_Voyager_2_(large).jpg
Is it a regular shape???
Don't you see that it looks as a broken ball?
The shorter diameter in one side is less than 2/3 of the longer side.
Do you agree with that?

Um, do you not know what a shadow is?

Here is a link showing other photographs of Triton. You can more clearly see its spherical shape: http://scienceblogs.com/startswithabang/2009/04/29/the-closest-kuiper-belt-object/
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 24/09/2018 05:17:33
Thanks Kryptid and chiralSPO

Yes, I was confused by the shadow on that moon.
However, as it is a real moon;
How do we know for sure that it drifts inwards?
It was quite difficult for us to find that our moon is drifting outwards.
So, how could we find the drifting direction while Triton is located so far away from us and it orbits around another planet (Neptune).
Please remember that we came briefly closer to that moon only in 1989 when Voyager 2 passed it in.
What kind of technique we have used in order to prove this assumption?
What is the expected inwards drifting rate per year? (Is it just few cm or more than few miles per year?)


Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 24/09/2018 08:09:16
Thanks Kryptid and chiralSPO

Yes, I was confused by the shadow on that moon.
However, as it is a real moon;
How do we know for sure that it drifts inwards?
It was quite difficult for us to find that our moon is drifting outwards.
So, how could we find the drifting direction while Triton is located so far away from us and it orbits around another planet (Neptune).
Please remember that we came briefly closer to that moon only in 1989 when Voyager 2 passed it in.
What kind of technique we have used in order to prove this assumption?
What is the expected inwards drifting rate per year? (Is it just few cm or more than few miles per year?)

I'm not sure if it actually has been measured or not. We know from physics that there is a source of energy loss from its orbit but do not know of any gains to counter it. So logically, its orbit must be decreasing.

On the other hand, I was able to find observational evidence for the orbital decay of the exoplanet WASP-43b. Basically, data about how long it took to go around its star was used to find that its orbital period is becoming very slightly smaller with time: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/0004-6256/151/1/17/meta#aj521586s4
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 24/09/2018 09:55:53

I'm not sure if it actually has been measured or not. We know from physics that there is a source of energy loss from its orbit but do not know of any gains to counter it. So logically, its orbit must be decreasing.

Thanks
So, we don't have any sort of evidence which confirms that triton is drifting inwards.
It is just a logical outcome from an assumption of the source of energy loss.
Can we prove it?

If we can't, then why do we say so surly that it drifts inwards?
It is a mislead information
How can we use this unproved idea in order to prove some other unrealistic ideas?


On the other hand, I was able to find observational evidence for the orbital decay of the exoplanet WASP-43b. Basically, data about how long it took to go around its star was used to find that its orbital period is becoming very slightly smaller with time: http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/0004-6256/151/1/17/meta#aj521586s4


With regards to WASP-43b planet and its host WASP-43.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WASP-43b
It is located at 261 LY away.
"WASP-43 is a K-type star in the Sextans constellation that is about 80 parsecs (261 light years) away."
We have detected the WASP-43b planet due to "potential transiting event".
"WASP-43 was first flagged as host to a potential transiting event (when a body crosses in front of and dims its host star) by data collected by SuperWASP"
We have discovered that its orbital period, at the time of WASP-43b's discovery, was the second-shortest orbit yet detected"
"WASP-43b is a dense Hot Jupiter with a mass of 1.78 times the mass of Jupiter, but a radius of 0.93 times that of Jupiter's. The planet orbits its host star at a mean distance of 0.0142 AU every 0.813475 days (19.5234 hours);[5] this orbital period, at the time of WASP-43b's discovery, was the second-shortest orbit yet detected, surpassed only by WASP-19b"
However, how do we know that this one "second-shortest orbit" is not due to our current different point of view?
So, technically the orbital time could be identical, but due to different current location point, we might monitor different orbital time.
Do you agree with that?
Conclusions.
It is quite unrealistic to get into real conclusion from a system which is located so far any from us and based on different locations and different orbital time cycle.
Therefore, this WASP-43b verification can't contribute any real information for our discussion.
Hence, so far there is only one broken moon - Phobos, which our scientists claim that it drifts inwards.
Would you kindly advice how they have got this idea?
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: evan_au on 24/09/2018 10:45:14
Quote from: Dave Lev
how do we know that this one "second-shortest orbit" is not due to our current different point of view?
The Exoplanet Wasp-43b has an orbital period of 19.5 hours.

The shortest known orbital period for an Exoplanet (in September 2018) is SWIFT J1756.9-2508 b, with an orbital period of 4.3 hours around a millisecond pulsar.

Our point of view places the orbit of these planets on our line of sight to their parent star.

With an orbital decay period of <0.1 seconds per year, there is no way that the orbital period of Wasp-43b (261 light-years away) can be less than SWIFT J1756.9-2508 b.

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It is quite unrealistic to get into real conclusion from a system which is located so far any from us and based on different locations and different orbital time cycle.
I'm afraid that I don't see the significance of the distance to the star when we are discussing planets which cross our line of sight?

Or why it may support or devalue the idea of tidal effects causing planets to migrate towards or away from their parent star.

In fact, SWIFT J1756.9-2508 b may be an interesting case: a millisecond pulsar is spinning hundreds of times per second. If tidal effects are significant, then the companion should be moving outwards? Of course, millisecond pulsars are almost perfect ellipsoids, of somewhat unknown stiffness, so how would we calculate the tidal energy loss or gain?

See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_exoplanet_extremes#Orbital_characteristics
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 24/09/2018 20:42:00
It is just a logical outcome from an assumption of the source of energy loss.
Can we prove it?

Yes. We know that tidal forces exist (we can detect them on Earth). We know that tidal forces transfer energy (obviously, since tides represent the movement of matter). We know that Newton's third law requires there to be equal and opposite reactions when energy is exchanged between two bodies. Since Triton is orbiting Neptune in a retrograde manner, it is creating tides that pull in the opposite direction against Neptune's rotation. Since Neptune is composed of matter that has friction, this inevitably leads to Neptune's rotation rate slowing down over time. However, due to conservation of angular momentum, we know that Neptune's spin can't disappear into nothingness. Newton's third law therefore requires that this loss of angular momentum also be transferred to Triton itself, slowing it down and thus pulling it into a closer orbit.'

Everything about tidal acceleration is based on things that we already know to be true from experiment.

So, technically the orbital time could be identical, but due to different current location point, we might monitor different orbital time.
Do you agree with that?

No, because our position relative to that system has nothing to do with how long we would perceive that it takes that planet to orbit that star. I don't know why you think it would.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 03/10/2018 17:13:37
It is just a logical outcome from an assumption of the source of energy loss.
Can we prove it?

Yes. We know that tidal forces exist (we can detect them on Earth). We know that tidal forces transfer energy (obviously, since tides represent the movement of matter). We know that Newton's third law requires there to be equal and opposite reactions when energy is exchanged between two bodies. Since Triton is orbiting Neptune in a retrograde manner, it is creating tides that pull in the opposite direction against Neptune's rotation. Since Neptune is composed of matter that has friction, this inevitably leads to Neptune's rotation rate slowing down over time. However, due to conservation of angular momentum, we know that Neptune's spin can't disappear into nothingness. Newton's third law therefore requires that this loss of angular momentum also be transferred to Triton itself, slowing it down and thus pulling it into a closer orbit.'

Everything about tidal acceleration is based on things that we already know to be true from experiment.

Thanks for the explanation.
1. Tidal -  " We know that tidal forces exist (we can detect them on Earth)" - Yes. that is correct.
So, yes - there is a tidal between Earth and the Moon. However, the moon is drifting away from the Earth. This is clear for all of us.
In the same token, we know for sure that the Earth is also drifting away from the Sun (with or without tidal impact).
Those are pure evidences. Therefore, I don't understand why you are using the word "tidal" as a proof for drifting inwards, while there is no solid proof for that.
2. Orbiting in a retrograde manner
Thanks for the explanation. However, as I read it it seems to me again that it is a logical outcome.
It might be correct, but is also might be incorrect. There is no solid proof in that explanation.
Even if the following message is correct: "Newton's third law therefore requires that this loss of angular momentum also be transferred to Triton itself, slowing it down",
How do we know for sure that this "slowing down" must lead to: "pulling it into a closer orbit".
Actually I see a contradiction.
Based on Kepler law, if it drifts inwards, (so the radius is shorter), than the orbital velocity should be higher.
Therefore, the only way to keep Keler law while slowing down the orbital velocity is by drifting it outwards and increase its radius (assuming that there is no mass lose).
In any case, we didn't measure the real distance from Neptune to Triton and verify the real changes over time.
So far the only real measurements had been set between Moon-Earth and Earth-sun.
Therefore, do you agree that as long as we don't have a direct measurements of any moon or planet (in the solar system or outside it) which is drifting inwards to its parent Host, we can't say for sure that there is a solid evidence for drifting inwards movement due to tidal (or any other idea) in any orbital system.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 03/10/2018 21:26:46
Thanks for the explanation.
1. Tidal -  " We know that tidal forces exist (we can detect them on Earth)" - Yes. that is correct.
So, yes - there is a tidal between Earth and the Moon. However, the moon is drifting away from the Earth. This is clear for all of us.
In the same token, we know for sure that the Earth is also drifting away from the Sun (with or without tidal impact).
Those are pure evidences. Therefore, I don't understand why you are using the word "tidal" as a proof for drifting inwards, while there is no solid proof for that.

I already supplied you with an example of measurements of an extrasolar planet drifting inward, just as such a planet in such close orbit around its star is predicted to do via tidal braking. Our changing location relative to the system wouldn't change how long we observe it to take the planet to orbit its star.

Quote
2. Orbiting in a retrograde manner
Thanks for the explanation. However, as I read it it seems to me again that it is a logical outcome.
It might be correct, but is also might be incorrect. There is no solid proof in that explanation.
Even if the following message is correct: "Newton's third law therefore requires that this loss of angular momentum also be transferred to Triton itself, slowing it down",
How do we know for sure that this "slowing down" must lead to: "pulling it into a closer orbit".
Actually I see a contradiction.
Based on Kepler law, if it drifts inwards, (so the radius is shorter), than the orbital velocity should be higher.
Therefore, the only way to keep Keler law while slowing down the orbital velocity is by drifting it outwards and increase its radius (assuming that there is no mass lose).

Think about a spaceship in orbit around the Earth. It is travelling just fast enough to avoid losing altitude. Now we have the ship fire thrusters in the opposite direction of its movement to slow it down. The ship is travelling more slowly than before, but gravity is still pulling on it just as hard. For this reason, it will not travel as far before it falls the same amount of distance. This leads to a decrease in the altitude and therefore the diameter of the orbit. However (and this is the important part), the very act of falling into a tighter orbit will convert some of the ship's gravitational potential energy into kinetic energy, acting to speed it up again. So even though we slowed down the ship initially, its final velocity will be higher in its new orbit than the old one. The same thing happens with planets that fall into tighter orbits around their stars.

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In any case, we didn't measure the real distance from Neptune to Triton and verify the real changes over time.
So far the only real measurements had been set between Moon-Earth and Earth-sun.

This is technically true. If there is another source of energy present that we don't know about, Triton could theoretically avoid falling into Neptune if it is gaining enough energy from that unknown source to offset tidal braking. However, we still know that tidal breaking must be a phenomenon that exists via logical deduction based on the laws of physics.

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Therefore, do you agree that as long as we don't have a direct measurements of any moon or planet (in the solar system or outside it) which is drifting inwards to its parent Host, we can't say for sure that there is a solid evidence for drifting inwards movement due to tidal (or any other idea) in any orbital system.

Not any more than we can say that we don't have solid evidence that the Empire State Building would fall if we dropped it out of a giant aircraft from 80,000 feet. Such a thing has obviously never been observed before, but we certainly know enough about physics to deduce that it must fall. Same thing with tidal acceleration.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Professor Mega-Mind on 03/10/2018 21:39:59
...............Orbital Pictogram
 Before the laws , before the formulas , and before the equations , there was the system , and it was good !
 I can see that you have a good understanding of the Earth/Moon system .  You know that instead of being directly under the Moon , as it " should " be , the tidal bulge is displaced forward by Earth's 24 hr. rotation .  The bulge " wants " to stay directly under Luna , BUT the Earth's crust resists deformation .  It takes time for the Moon's pull to lift that bulge , it also takes energy.  By the time the bulge is raised , it has rotated out " ahead " of Luna .  It now exerts a slight forward pull on the Moon , even as the Moon exerts a slight backwards pull on the bulge .  These two pulls cause the Moon to speed up , and the Earth to slow down .  The caveat is that forcing the Earth's crust thru that massive distortion slows it's rotation down , and generates huge amounts of heat in the planet's crust .  If you took the Moon , and magically reversed it's revolution , all of the above would remain true EXCEPT ; the bulge's pull would now slow Luna's revolution , instead of accelerating it .  It would also slow Earth's rotation even more , as Luna spiralled down onto it .
  The same dynamics apply to both Phobos , and Triton .  The difference being that they are tiny compared to their planets .   
In conclusion , these systems effectively trade off rotational inertia .  In the process , they convert some of it into heat , thus the apparently disappearing momentum of the systems . 
 Alright man , pinball time ! ...P.M.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 04/10/2018 16:43:13
extrasolar planet
 
I already supplied you with an example of measurements of an extrasolar planet drifting inward, just as such a planet in such close orbit around its star is predicted to do via tidal braking. Our changing location relative to the system wouldn't change how long we observe it to take the planet to orbit its star.
I can agree with that statement if we are moving in full synchronization and do not change our distance and relative location over time.
In this case, we will see the same relative orbital cycle of the extrasolar planet around its parent star.
However, what is the chance for that?
1. Bobbing around the galactic disc.
We know that the Sun is bobing up and down from the galactic disc in some sort of a sine wave.
Currently we are moving upwards from the galactic disc.
In the same way, any star in Orion arm (and at any other arm) is bobbing up or down.
So, what is the chance that Wasp-43 or SWIFT J1756.9-2508 stars are located exactly at the same distance from the galactic disc as we do and ride on the same sine wave as we do at the same velocity as we do?
I would say that the chance for that is less than 1 to one Billion.
There is good chance that as we go up they might go down.
So, there is good chance that we see the extrasolar planet orbital cycle from different location over time.
As an example -
A. Lets assume that we are located directly at the orbital disc of the extrasolar planet (but at a distance of 280 Ly away) - In this case, the planet crosses its parent star exactly at the center. Hence, we actually should see that the planet is moving in one striate line, left and right.
B. Let's assume that we are located few degrees above or below the extrasolar planet orbital disc - In this case, we should start to see the elliptical shape of the orbital cycle.
C. As we move higher, the elliptical cycle will be wider.
D. At some point, if the elliptical cycle will be wide enough, we might even see that the planet cycle doesn't cross any more its parent star.
So, let's assume that four years ago, we have been located directly on the extrasolar planet orbital disc. However, after four years we have moved a little bit higher than that  extrasolar planet orbital disc.
The outcome is that we see a shorter orbital cycle, even if the real orbital cycle is the same.
There is another issue - Accuracy.
Did we measure the time based on atomic clock?
If not, less than one sec per four years might be in the range of the measured accuracy clock.
So, I have proved that as our relative location is changing over time, it effects the orbital cycle that we see.
As we can't prove that there is full synchronization between the Sun orbital cycle around the center of the galaxy to those extrasolar systems, and as we don't know the accuracy of the measured time, do you agree that there is no meaning for that time decrease?

However, let's focus again on Triton and Phobos.
As all of us are located in the same solar system, we all move in full synchronization.
So, if we can set a compensation based on relative orbital location, why don't we measure their orbital cycle time frame and see if there is any change over time?
If that idea works Ok for extrasolar planet, why it can't work for solar planets and moons?
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 04/10/2018 17:11:49
I can agree with that statement if we are moving in full synchronization and do not change our distance and relative location over time.
In this case, we will see the same relative orbital cycle of the extrasolar planet around its parent star.
However, what is the chance for that?
1. Bobbing around the galactic disc.
We know that the Sun is bobing up and down from the galactic disc in some sort of a sine wave.
Currently we are moving upwards from the galactic disc.
In the same way, any star in Orion arm (and at any other arm) is bobbing up or down.
So, what is the chance that Wasp-43 or SWIFT J1756.9-2508 stars are located exactly at the same distance from the galactic disc as we do and ride on the same sine wave as we do at the same velocity as we do?
I would say that the chance for that is less than 1 to one Billion.
There is good chance that as we go up they might go down.
So, there is good chance that we see the extrasolar planet orbital cycle from different location over time.
As an example -
A. Lets assume that we are located directly at the orbital disc of the extrasolar planet (but at a distance of 280 Ly away) - In this case, the planet crosses its parent star exactly at the center. Hence, we actually should see that the planet is moving in one striate line, left and right.
B. Let's assume that we are located few degrees above or below the extrasolar planet orbital disc - In this case, we should start to see the elliptical shape of the orbital cycle.
C. As we move higher, the elliptical cycle will be wider.
D. At some point, if the elliptical cycle will be wide enough, we might even see that the planet cycle doesn't cross any more its parent star.
So, let's assume that four years ago, we have been located directly on the extrasolar planet orbital disc. However, after four years we have moved a little bit higher than that  extrasolar planet orbital disc.
The outcome is that we see a shorter orbital cycle, even if the real orbital cycle is the same.

Why would I measure a merry-go-round as spinning faster from a mountain top than I would if I were standing right beside it? That makes no sense.

Quote
There is another issue - Accuracy.
Did we measure the time based on atomic clock?
If not, less than one sec per four years might be in the range of the measured accuracy clock.

They gave the accuracy level in the article: −0.02890795 ± 0.00772547 seconds per year. The number ± 0.00772547 seconds represents the uncertainty in the measurement.

Quote
So, I have proved that as our relative location is changing over time, it effects the orbital cycle that we see.

Except that you did not. Walking towards or away from a merry-go-round will not affect how fast its rotation looks to me. My height relative to it won't affect it either. Nor will walking to the left or the right.

Quote
As we can't prove that there is full synchronization between the Sun orbital cycle around the center of the galaxy to those extrasolar systems, and as we don't know the accuracy of the measured time, do you agree that there is no meaning for that time decrease?

No, I do not agree. The accuracy level was stated in the article. You must think that astrophysicists are morons if you don't think they take all of these things into consideration when making measurements like this.

Quote
However, let's focus again on Triton and Phobos.
As we located in the same solar system, we all move in full synchronization.
So, if we can set a compensation based on relative orbital location, why don't we measure their orbital cycle time frame and see if there is any change over time?
If that idea works Ok for extrasolar planet, why it can't work for solar planets and moons?

It might work, but unlike a star with a planet going around it, a distant planet with a moon is not self-luminous and the masses involved are much, much smaller. I don't know if our current technology can measure such a thing or not.
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 04/10/2018 17:51:06
They gave the accuracy level in the article: −0.02890795 ± 0.00772547 seconds per year. The number ± 0.00772547 seconds represents the uncertainty in the measurement.
Thanks

Are you sure that those numbers represents accuracy?
They don't say even one word about time accuracy in this article. It is just stated that:
http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/0004-6256/151/1/17/meta#aj521586s4
"On the other hand, for the solid curve in Figure 2, the overall orbital decay rate is dP/dt = δP/Pq = −0.02890795± 0.00772547 s year−1, which is one order smaller than the values in previous work. Therefore, with our newly observed transits, we obtain a very different orbital decay rate. These results indicate that if there is any orbital decay, the decay rate shall be much smaller than those values proposed in previous works. "
So it represents the overall orbital decay rate.
Hence, what is the real clock accuracy?

Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 04/10/2018 21:59:52
Are you sure that those numbers represents accuracy?

The number ± 0.00772547 seconds per year represents the uncertainty in the measurement. This means that the true value for the decay rate could be anywhere between -0.03663342 and -0.02118248 seconds per year. Both of those extremes are still negative numbers. So yes, the data points to a decaying orbit.

Again, astrophysicists are not morons. They wouldn't publish data that had a useless level of accuracy (at least not without noting that the accuracy was untrustworthy in their articles).
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Dave Lev on 05/10/2018 06:15:41
Are you sure that those numbers represents accuracy?

The number ± 0.00772547 seconds per year represents the uncertainty in the measurement. This means that the true value for the decay rate could be anywhere between -0.03663342 and -0.02118248 seconds per year. Both of those extremes are still negative numbers. So yes, the data points to a decaying orbit.

Again, astrophysicists are not morons. They wouldn't publish data that had a useless level of accuracy (at least not without noting that the accuracy was untrustworthy in their articles).

Thanks

So, "The number ± 0.00772547 seconds per year represents the uncertainty in the measurement."
But they don't say what kind of clock they have used.
If the clock is Atomic, with almost infinite accuracy, than this ± 0.00772547 can represents the real accuracy of the measurements.
However, if for example they have used a clock with accuracy of ± 0.03 seconds per year, then the total real uncertainty in the measurement must be:
± 0.00772547 ± 0.03.
Do you agree that in this case it could change dramatically the meaning of the measurement?
Unless, the ± 0.00772547 represents the uncertainty in the measurement plus the uncertainty in the clock.

In any case, if we focus in the solar system:
I understand why our scientists assume that Triton is drifting inwards.
However, would you kindly explain why they also assume that Phobos is drifting inwards?
Is it based on the same idea as Triton?
Title: Re: Do red-dwarf stars eat their planets?
Post by: Kryptid on 05/10/2018 17:32:01
So, "The number ± 0.00772547 seconds per year represents the uncertainty in the measurement."
But they don't say what kind of clock they have used.
If the clock is Atomic, with almost infinite accuracy, than this ± 0.00772547 can represents the real accuracy of the measurements.
However, if for example they have used a clock with accuracy of ± 0.03 seconds per year, then the total real uncertainty in the measurement must be:
± 0.00772547 ± 0.03.
Do you agree that in this case it could change dramatically the meaning of the measurement?
Unless, the ± 0.00772547 represents the uncertainty in the measurement plus the uncertainty in the clock.

If that was the case, then they would have said that the uncertainty was ± 0.03772547 seconds per year. Do you really not think they know how to take these kinds of things into account?

Quote
In any case, if we focus in the solar system:
I understand why our scientists assume that Triton is drifting inwards.
However, would you kindly explain why they also assume that Phobos is drifting inwards?
Is it based on the same idea as Triton?

Yes, because it orbits faster than Mars rotates. However, we do actually have measurements of Phobos' orbital decay from Martian probes. It loses about 0.8 seconds from its orbital period every year: http://www-geodyn.mit.edu/bills_phobos05.pdf

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