<p>Yes, the order of planets in a system can change over time. Indeed, in some variations of the Nice model, Uranus formed further out than Neptune and then switched places when Jupiter and Saturn underwent their resonant interactions. According to <a href="https://www-n.oca.eu/morby/papers/nature-papers-5-26-05.pdf" rel="noreferrer">Tsiganis et al. 2005</a>, one of the original three papers on the model, Uranus and Neptune switched positions in ~50% of all simulations (presumably meaning that in some where Uranus formed past Neptune, ended up further in, and in some where Neptune formed beyond Uranus, <em>it</em> traveled further inwards). Therefore, a number of models reproducing the parameters of the giant planets in the present-day Solar System involve Neptune forming closer to the Sun than Uranus. This seems to fit better with <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-12/asu-sss121107.php" rel="noreferrer">models of the Sun's protoplanetary disk</a>.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-20T17:04:46.497Z
2020-09-20T17:04:46.497Z
HDE 226868
<p>The Nice model and the Grand Tack model both show that the distance between a planet and its host star can change greatly over time. Is it possible in either of these models for the order of planets to change as well? Or is the order of planets around a star the same as when the planets formed?</p>

<planetary-formation><planetary-systems>
Can the order of planets change in a young planetary system?
usernumber
# Can the order of planets change in a young planetary system?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-09-19)

The Nice model and the Grand Tack model both show that the distance between a planet and its host star can change greatly over time. Is it possible in either of these models for the order of planets to change as well? Or is the order of planets around a star the same as when the planets formed?

**Tags:** planetary-formation, planetary-systems


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-09-20. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

Yes, the order of planets in a system can change over time. Indeed, in some variations of the Nice model, Uranus formed further out than Neptune and then switched places when Jupiter and Saturn underwent their resonant interactions. According to [Tsiganis et al. 2005](https://www-n.oca.eu/morby/papers/nature-papers-5-26-05.pdf), one of the original three papers on the model, Uranus and Neptune switched positions in ~50% of all simulations (presumably meaning that in some where Uranus formed past Neptune, ended up further in, and in some where Neptune formed beyond Uranus, *it* traveled further inwards). Therefore, a number of models reproducing the parameters of the giant planets in the present-day Solar System involve Neptune forming closer to the Sun than Uranus. This seems to fit better with [models of the Sun's protoplanetary disk](https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-12/asu-sss121107.php).


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