Abstract
The observed mass function for all known extrasolar giant planets (EGPs) varies approximately as M-1 for mass M between ∼0.2 Jupiter masses (MJ) and ∼5 MJ. In order to study evaporation effects for highly irradiated EGPs in this mass range, we have constructed an observational mass function for a subset of EGPs in the same mass range but with orbital radii <0.07 AU. Surprisingly, the mass function for such highly irradiated EGPs agrees quantitatively with the M-1 law, implying that the mass function for EGPs is preserved despite migration to small orbital radii. Unless there is a remarkable compensation of mass-dependent orbital migration for massdependent evaporation, this result places a constraint on orbital migration models and rules out the most extreme mass-loss rates in the literature. A theory that predicts more moderate mass loss gives a mass function that is closer to observed statistics but still disagrees for M < 1 M J.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | L59-L62 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 658 |
Issue number | 1 II |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 20 2007 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Keywords
- Molecular processes
- Planetary systems