Planetary system dynamics
Each planetary system has its own characteristic dynamical properties. One
of these is the often supposed protective or shield effect of its giant
planets. For example, we have shown that our Jupiter's role as a shield
against small-body bombardment
is not as clear-cut as previously surmised, and the giant planets of some
other known systems may be much more effective in that job.
Some references:
M. Kaasalainen and T. Laakso (2001):
Near-integrability as a numerical tool
in solar system dynamics. Astron. Astrophys. 368, 706.
M. Kaasalainen (2004): Exoplanet observations and the influence of
planetary system characteristics on the evolution of life.
Luonnon Tutkija 108, 13.
M. Kaasalainen (2004): Dynamical effects in planetary systems and their
influence on the evolution of life. In Exoplanets and Astrobiology 2003,
University of Helsinki.
T. Laakso, J. Rantala and M. Kaasalainen (2006):
Gravitational
scattering by giant planets. Astron. Astrophys. 456, 373.
M.Tuomi, S. Kotiranta and M. Kaasalainen (2009):
The complementarity of astrometric and
radial velocity exoplanet observations: determining exoplanet mass
with astrometric snapshots.. Astron. Astrophys., 494, 769.