Prevalence of Fibonacci numbers in orbital period ratios in solar planetary and satellite systems and in exoplanetary systems

• Published in: Astrophysics and space science Vol. 364; no. 9; pp. 1 - 15
• Main Author: Pletser, Vladimir
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2019; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Astrobiology; Astronomy; Astrophysics; Astrophysics and Astroparticles; Cosmology; Dwarf planets; Extrasolar planets; Fibonacci numbers; Jupiter; Mars; Observations and Techniques; Orbits; Original Article; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Planetary systems; Planets; Satellites; Solar system; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Giant planet satellite systems; Minor planets; Solar System; Orbital period ratios; Near mean motion resonances; Exoplanetary systems; Fibonacci numbers
• ISSN: 0004-640X; 1572-946X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10509-019-3649-2

It is shown that orbital period ratios of successive planets in the Solar System, of satellites in giant planet systems and of exoplanets in exoplanetary systems are preferentially closer to irreducible fractions formed with Fibonacci numbers between 1 and 8 than to other fractions, in a ratio of approximately 60% vs 40%. Furthermore, if sets of minor planets are chosen with gradually smaller inclinations and eccentricities, the proximity to Fibonacci fractions of their period ratios with Jupiter or Mars’ period tends to increase. Finally, a simple model explains why the resonance of the form P 1 P 2 = p p + q , with P 1 and P 2 orbital periods of planets or satellites and p and q small integers, are stronger and more commonly observed for p and ( p + q ) being both small Fibonacci numbers than for other cases.