Empirical Calibration of Extrasolar Tidal Interactions

Brad Hansen

November 14, 2011

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Abstract: I will describe an attempt to empirically calibrate equilibrium tide theory, based on the observed properties of extrasolar planet systems. By constraining the strength of tidal interactions within a single paradigm we can hope to understand some of the properties of the observed population. As an example, we can demonstrate that the misalignments of stellar spins and planetary orbits is consistent with spin-up, or lack thereof, of the host stars, without resorting to ad-hoc separations of radiative interiors and convective surface layers.