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Can Two Planets Orbit Each Other So Closely That They Share an Atmosphere?

-- Evan | January 14, 2020

Question:

What would the ramifications be of two planets orbiting each other so closely they shared an atmosphere well also orbiting a star? (I am thinking of things like weather, gravity, the pattern of days, and seasons)

-- Evan

Answer:

Let me refer you to the very detailed answers to this question that have been posted to one of the StackExchange blogs. The bottom line is that it is not necessarily impossible, though the circumstances that would lead to the formation of such a system seem somewhat improbable.

-- Jeff Mangum

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