Numerical Investigations of Non-equal Mass and Non-equal Spacing Packing of Planetary Bodies

Abstract We study the optimal packing of non-equally massed and spaced multi-planet systems through numerical N-body simulations. Previous studies have generally assumed that a system equal mass planets will be optimally packed if they are also equally spaced, i.e., semi-major axis ratios between planet pairs is constant. explicitly test this assumption by obtaining stability timescales 5-planet around Sun-like star (with masses varying from 3 Earth to Jupiter masses) with increasing degrees non-uniform-spacing represented parameter k. Such simulated using integrations until reach point gravitationally unstable close encounters. For masses, value k = 1 corresponds spacing, whereas < leads inner being more widely than outer planets. for (i.e., longest time) under both non-equal scenarios find evidence most (but not all) initial conditions; we discuss where may preferable. role distance mean-motion resonances (MMRs) play in determining configurations packing.