Architecture Classification for Extrasolar Planetary Systems

• Published in: The Astronomical journal Vol. 169; no. 3; pp. 149 - 174
• Main Authors: Howe, Alex R., Becker, Juliette C., Stark, Christopher C., Adams, Fred C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The American Astronomical Society 03.03.2025; IOP Publishing
• Subjects: Exoplanet catalogs; Exoplanet dynamics; Exoplanet systems; Exoplanets
• ISSN: 0004-6256; 1538-3881
• DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/adabdb

This paper presents a classification framework for the architectures of planetary systems based on a complete survey of the confirmed exoplanet population. With nearly 6000 confirmed exoplanets discovered, including more than 300 multiplanet systems with N ≥ 3 planets, the current observational sample has reached a point where it is both feasible and useful to build a classification system that divides the observed population into meaningful categories. This framework provides a criterion for splitting planetary systems into inner and outer regimes, then further dividing inner systems into dynamical classes. The resulting categories include “peas-in-a-pod systems,” with uniformly small planets, and “warm-Jupiter systems,” with a mix of large and small planets, as well as “closely spaced systems” and “gapped systems,” with further subdivisions based on the locations of gaps and other features. These categories can classify nearly all of the confirmed N ≥ 3 systems with minimal ambiguity. We qualitatively examine the relative prevalence of each type of system, subject to observational selection effects, as well as other notable features, such as the presence of hot Jupiters. A small number of outlier systems are also discussed. Potential additional classes of systems yet to be discovered are proposed.