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arXiv · 1201.2302

Habitability of Earth-type Planets and Moons in the Kepler-16 System

Billy Quarles·Zdzislaw E. Musielak·Manfred Cuntz
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Abstract

We demonstrate that habitable Earth-mass planets and moons can exist in the Kepler-16 system, known to host a Saturn-mass planet around a stellar binary, by investigating their orbital stability in the standard and extended habitable zone (HZ). We find that Earth-mass planets in satellite-like (S-type)orbits are possible within the standard HZ in direct vicinity of Kepler-16b, thus constituting habitable exomoons. However, Earth-mass planets cannot exist in planetary-like (P-type) orbits around the two stellar components within the standard HZ. Yet, P-type Earth-mass planets can exist superior to the Saturnian planet in the extended HZ pertaining to considerably enhanced back-warming in the planetary atmosphere if facilitated. We briefly discuss the potential detectability of such habitable Earth-mass moons and planets positioned in satellite and planetary orbits, respectively. The range of inferior and superior P-type orbits in the HZ is between 0.657 to 0.71 AU and 0.95 to 1.02 AU, respectively.

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Billy Quarles, Zdzislaw E. Musielak, Manfred Cuntz. 2012-01-11. Habitability of Earth-type Planets and Moons in the Kepler-16 System. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/750/1/14

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