The Laplace resonance in the Kepler-60 planetary system

Abstract

We investigate the dynamical stability of the Kepler-60 planetary system with three super-Earths. We determine their orbital elements and masses by transit timing variation (TTV) data spanning quarters Q1-Q16 of the Kepler mission. The system is dynamically active but the TTV data constrain masses to ∼4 M⊕ and orbits in safely wide stable zones. The observations prefer two types of solutions. The true three-body Laplace mean-motion resonance (MMR) exhibits the critical angle librating around ≃45° and aligned apsides of the inner and outer pair of planets. In the Laplace MMR formed through a chain of two-planet 5:4 and 4:3 MMRs, all critical angles librate with small amplitudes ∼30° and apsidal lines in planet's pairs are anti-aligned. The system is simultaneously locked in a three-body MMR with librations amplitude ≃10o. The true Laplace MMR can evolve towards a chain of two-body MMRs in the presence of planetary migration. Therefore, the three-body MMR formed in this way seems to be more likely state of the system. However, the true three-body MMR cannot be disregarded a priori and it remains a puzzling configuration that may challenge the planet formation theory.