The Role of Giant Planets in Terrestrial Planet Formation
We do know that the structure of the giant planets do matter, even if there are no hot Jupiters.
- Levison & Agnor (2003) modeled terrestrial planet formation in six systems
(the last 4 taken from Levison, Lissauer, & Duncan 1998):
........... No giant planets.
..........................
- Note:
- These simulations did not include small objects, so we already know that they are wrong.
- They also did not include the effects of gas.
- However, they do illustrate that the giant planet system can make a big difference.
