Five of 16 fixed Kepler orbit models develop path crossings after periapse rotation

We test whether 16 published eccentric-orbit models for eight selected Kepler systems keep their paths separate when the periapse directions change. Semimajor axes and eccentricities stay fixed. Five models develop crossings. The smallest relative rotation to first contact is 8.927 degrees for the Holczer-duration model of KIC 7445445. Eleven models stay nested at every relative angle. An exact conic test, direct radius grids, angle sums, source checks and numerical transit integration agree. These are conditional geometric results for constructed explanations, not measured orbits, collision probabilities or stability tests. Both duration catalogs share Kepler photons. We add no instrument test or independent observation and find no new planet. Code, frozen inputs, exact provenance, full pair results and offline instructions are included.

astronomy · Kepler · transit duration · eccentricity · apsidal rotation · orbital path intersection