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Planetary Seminar Winter 2026 Seminars

Jan 1, 2026 – Dec 31, 2026

Dynamics and Origins of Mean-Motion Resonances in Extrasolar Planetary System

Date: January 15, 2026   12:00 – 1:00pm

Location: 3853 Slichter Hall

Presented by: Man Hoi Lee — University of Hong Kong

In our Solar System, there are numerous mean-motion resonances for the minor bodies and satellites, but there are no mean-motion resonances between the planets. The first mean-motion resonance in an extrasolar planetary system – the 2:1 resonance between two Jupiter-mass planets around the star GJ 876 – was discovered in 2001. Since then, an increasing number of pairs of planets in or near mean-motion resonances and resonant chains of three or more planets have been detected. I will discuss the dynamics of these systems and the constraints that they provide on the formation and dynamical evolution of planets. Topics will include high-order mean-motion resonances in the HD 202206 and nu Ophiuchi systems and the formation of resonant chains near the inner edge of protoplanetary disks.