Planets In Orbit Around Two Stars: Not All Orbits Are Created Equal

Join this channel to get access to perks:    / @astrophil2000   Support this channel on Patreon:   / astrophil   Welcome, my name is Phil, and in this video I explain the different types of orbit planets can have when part of a binary star system. Many exoplanets have now been discovered around two stars. The orbit that a planet can have are not equally stable and can impact the long term fate of the planet. Two orbital configurations exist for these planets. P - Type: Planets orbit around the outside of both stars. S - Type: Planets orbit one of the stars which orbits the common centre of mass for both stars. Planets that orbit around the outside of both stars (P Type) can remain stable for long periods of time. However, stars that orbit just one of the stars in the system are exposed to additional gravitational perturbations from the 2nd star, which can can quickly destabilize the planet.