About this Research Topic
Exoplanet discovery is a recent endeavor, being only about a generation old. Characterization of exoplanetary systems is well underway and one of the most exciting findings is that planets can form and survive in binary star systems. These systems provide unique environments and architectures, as well as present special research challenges and opportunities. Current work on observations, formation, dynamics, and planning for future exoplanet studies needs to understand and include proper treatment of binaries.
Given that up to half of all exoplanet systems exist in multiple star systems, it seems timely and appropriate to put together a Research Topic devoted to this subject. Observational as well as theoretical work on the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems searches for habitable worlds, and detailed characterization of planets, including direct imaging and atmospheric spectra, will need to take multiple stellar hosts into account in order to be successful. Furthermore, to infer the true distribution of planetary characteristics and connect theories of planet formation and evolution with observations a proper treatment of multiple stellar hosts is required.
In this Research Topic, contributions from graduate students, postdoctoral students as well research teams are encouraged. Article types can be Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Original Research, Technology and Code, or Reviews. Shorter article types are also welcome e.g. Brief Research Report, Mini Review, or Perspective. Potential themes for contributions include, but are not limited to:
• Binary exoplanet host stars vs. field binaries
• Formation and dynamics of exoplanets in binaries
• Evolution of disks in binaries
• Planet Migration
• Detection of binarity, high-resolution imaging, Gaia
• Ground-based follow-up
• Host star and exoplanet parameter determination
• Occurrence rates (rocky vs. ice/gas) in multiple star systems
• Stellar Multiplicity
• Circumbinary planets
• Binary host star Habitable Zone and Habitability
• Exoplanet transit spectroscopy
• JWST observations, direct imaging (LUVOIR)
Given that up to half of all exoplanet systems exist in multiple star systems, it seems timely and appropriate to put together a Research Topic devoted to this subject. Observational as well as theoretical work on the formation and evolution of exoplanetary systems searches for habitable worlds, and detailed characterization of planets, including direct imaging and atmospheric spectra, will need to take multiple stellar hosts into account in order to be successful. Furthermore, to infer the true distribution of planetary characteristics and connect theories of planet formation and evolution with observations a proper treatment of multiple stellar hosts is required.
In this Research Topic, contributions from graduate students, postdoctoral students as well research teams are encouraged. Article types can be Hypothesis and Theory, Methods, Original Research, Technology and Code, or Reviews. Shorter article types are also welcome e.g. Brief Research Report, Mini Review, or Perspective. Potential themes for contributions include, but are not limited to:
• Binary exoplanet host stars vs. field binaries
• Formation and dynamics of exoplanets in binaries
• Evolution of disks in binaries
• Planet Migration
• Detection of binarity, high-resolution imaging, Gaia
• Ground-based follow-up
• Host star and exoplanet parameter determination
• Occurrence rates (rocky vs. ice/gas) in multiple star systems
• Stellar Multiplicity
• Circumbinary planets
• Binary host star Habitable Zone and Habitability
• Exoplanet transit spectroscopy
• JWST observations, direct imaging (LUVOIR)
Keywords: Binary Stars, Exoplanets, Multiple Stars, Circumbinary planets, Habitability, Occurrence rates
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
