Description
Precise radial-velocity measurements with the HARPS spectrograph reveal the presence of two planets orbiting the solar-type star HD 45364. The companion masses are Msini=0.187M_{Jup} and 0.658M_{Jup}, with semi-major axes of a=0.681AU and 0.897AU, and eccentricities of e=0.168 and 0.097, respectively. A dynamical analysis of the system further shows a 3:2 mean motion resonance between the two planets, which prevents close encounters and ensures the stability of the system over 5Gyr. This is the first time that such a resonant configuration has been observed for extra-solar planets, although there is an analogue in our Solar System formed by Neptune and Pluto. This singular planetary system may provide important constraints on planetary formation and migration scenarios.
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