The Lidov-Kozai resonance at different scales

Abstract

Abstract The Lidov-Kozai (LK) resonance is one of the most widely discussed topics since the discovery of exoplanets in eccentric orbits. It constitutes a secular protection mechanism for systems with high mutual inclinations, although large variations in eccentricity and inclination are observed. This review aims to illustrate how the LK resonance influences the dynamics of the three-body problem at different scales, namely i) for two-planet extrasolar systems where the orbital variations occur in a coherent way such that the system remains stable, ii) for inclined planets in protoplanetary discs where the LK cycles are produced by the gravitational force exerted by the disc on the planet, iii) for migrating planets in binary star systems, whose dynamical evolution is strongly affected by the LK resonance even without experiencing a resonance capture, and iv) for triple-star systems for which the migration through LK cycles combined with tidal friction is a possible explanation for the short-period pile-up observed in the distribution of multiple stars.