The orbital architecture and stability of the μ Arae planetary system

Abstract

ABSTRACT We re-analyse the global orbital architecture and dynamical stability of the HD 160691 planetary system. We have updated the best-fitting elements and minimal masses of the planets based on literature precision radial velocity (RV) measurements, now spanning 17.3 yr. This is twice the RVs interval used for the first characterization of the system in 2006. It consists of a Saturn- and two Jupiter-mass planets in low-eccentric orbits resembling the Earth–Mars–Jupiter configuration in the Solar system, as well as the close-in warm Neptune with a mass of ≃14 Earth masses. Here, we constrain this early solution with the outermost period to be accurate to one month. The best-fitting Newtonian model is characterized by moderate eccentricities of the most massive planets below 0.1 with small uncertainties ≃0.02. It is close but meaningfully separated from the 2e:1b mean motion resonance of the Saturn–Jupiter-like pair, but may be close to weak three-body MMRs. The system appears rigorously stable over a wide region of parameter space covering uncertainties of several σ. The system stability is robust to a five-fold increase in the minimal masses, consistent with a wide range of inclinations, from ≃20° to 90°. This means that all planetary masses are safely below the brown dwarf mass limit. We found a weak statistical indication of the likely system inclination $I \simeq \, 20^{\circ }$–30°. Given the well-constrained orbital solution, we also investigate the structure of hypothetical debris discs, which are analogues of the Main Belt and Kuiper Belt, and may naturally occur in this system.