Electromagnetic signals from planetary collisions

Bing Zhang; Steinn Sigurdsson

doi:10.1086/379186

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arXiv · astro-ph/0308218

Electromagnetic signals from planetary collisions

Bing Zhang·Steinn Sigurdsson

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Abstract

Planet-planet collisions are expected during the early stages of the formation of extra-solar planets, and are also possible in mature planetary systems through secular planet-planet perturbations. We investigate the electromagnetic signals accompanied with these planetary collisions and their event rate, and explore the possibility of directly detecting such events. A typical Earth-Jupiter collision would give rise to a prompt EUV-soft-X-ray flash lasting for hours and a bright IR afterglow lasting for thousands of years. It is suggested that with the current and forthcoming observational technology and facilities, some of these collisional flashes or the post-collision remnants could be discovered.

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Bing Zhang, Steinn Sigurdsson. 2003-08-12. Electromagnetic signals from planetary collisions. https://doi.org/10.1086/379186

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