Numerical Instruments for the Analysis of Secular Dynamics of Exoplanetary Systems

Abstract

A review is given of modern numerical methods for the analysis of resonant and chaotic dynamics: calculation of the Lyapunov characteristic exponents, the MEGNO method, and the maximum eccentricity method. These methods are used to construct stability diagrams for the planetary systems γ Cep, HD 196885, and HD 41004. The diagrams are analyzed to determine the most probable values taken by the orbital parameters of the exoplanets and obtain estimates for the Lyapunov time of their orbital dynamics. The stability diagrams constructed using the different methods are compared to analyze their effectiveness in the study of secular dynamics of exoplanetary systems.