Origin of wide planetary-mass companions to multiple stars

Determine whether some wide planetary-mass companions orbiting stellar multiple systems were captured dynamically or formed through a non-standard formation channel.

Background

The paper notes that in-situ formation of planetary-mass objects on very wide orbits is complicated by rapid inward migration. Its simulations produce few P-type systems, while several observed wide planetary-mass companions orbit stellar multiples. These observations leave unresolved whether such companions were captured during dynamical interactions or originated through an alternative formation process rather than standard in-situ planetary formation.

References

This leaves open the possibility that some wide companions were captured or formed through a non-standard channel.

— Star Cluster Ecology VIII. -- Dynamically Forming S-Type and $α$Centauri-like Systems  (2610.13127 - Hochart et al., 9 Oct 2026) in Section 5.6, “Lack of P-Type systems”