# Survival of Terrestrial Planets in the Presence of Giant Planet Migration

**Authors:** Avi M. Mandell, Steinn Sigurdsson  
**arXiv:** [astro-ph/0307512](https://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0307512)  
**Date:** 2003-07-29  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/arxiv-id/astro-ph--0307512v2/

## Key points

- Presence of "Hot Jupiters" linked to migration of planets formed in distant orbits
- Previous assumptions suggested no terrestrial planets could survive after migration
- New simulations suggest a substantial fraction can withstand the process and return to circular orbits near their original positions
- Some terrestrial planets end up within the Habitable Zone, potentially supporting liquid water and life
- Findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight potential for habitable environments in systems with Hot Jupiters
- Promising targets for future searches for Earth-like worlds
- Study conducted by Avi M. Mandell and Steinn Sigurdsson from Penn State University
- Research provides insights into dynamics and survivability of planetary systems with close-in giant planets

## Summary

The presence of "Hot Jupiters," or Jovian mass planets with short orbital periods, has been linked to the migration of planets formed in more distant orbits. This process has significant implications for the evolution of inner terrestrial planets in these systems. Previous analyses assumed that no terrestrial planets could survive after migration, but new simulations suggest that a substantial fraction can withstand the process and return to circular orbits near their original positions. Some even end up within the Habitable Zone, where conditions may support liquid water and potentially life. These findings challenge previous assumptions and highlight the potential for habitable environments in systems with Hot Jupiters, making them promising targets for future searches for Earth-like worlds. The study was conducted by Avi M. Mandell and Steinn Sigurdsson from Penn State University and will be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the dynamics and survivability of planetary systems with close-in giant planets, paving the way for further investigations into habitable worlds beyond our solar system.