2013MNRAS.436.3547G

We test a crossing orbit stability criterion for eccentric planetary systems, based on Wisdom's criterion of first-order mean motion resonance overlap. We show that this criterion fits the stability regions in real exoplanet systems quite well. In addition, we show that elliptical orbits can remain stable even for regions where the apocentre distance of the inner orbit is larger than the pericentre distance of the outer orbit, as long as the initial orbits are aligned. The analytical expressions provided here can be used to put rapid constraints on the stability zones of multiplanetary systems. As a byproduct of this research, we further show that the amplitude variations of the eccentricity can be used as a fast-computing stability indicator.