Computer simulations have revealed a plausible explanation for a phenomenon that has puzzled astronomers: Rather than occupying orbits at regular distances from a star, giant gas planets similar to Jupiter and Saturn appear to prefer to occupy certain regions in mature solar systems while staying clear of others.
"Our results show that the final distribution of planets does not vary smoothly with distance from the star, but instead has clear 'deserts' -- deficits of planets -- and 'pile-ups' of planets at particular locations," said Ilaria Pascucci, an assistant professor at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory.
"Our models offer a plausible explanation for the pile-ups of giant planets observed recently detected in exoplanet surveys," said Richard Alexander of the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
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