Stratospheric Heating in Hot Jupiters by S2 and S3

Details Stratospheric Heating in Hot Jupiters by S2 and S3 Stratospheric Heating in Hot Jupiters by S2 and S3

May 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21430601z&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #306.01; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.728

Other

Scientific paper

We use a 1D photochemical model to show that warm stratospheres of hot Jupiters are explained by the presence in the stratosphere of abundant, photochemically-generated S2 and S3. Predicted atmospheric compositions depend strongly on metallicity and the specific chemical reaction rates used in the code, but are insensitive to insolation, vertical mixing, temperature (between 1200 K and 1600 K), and gravity. Both S2 and S3 are generated from H2S (the most abundant S-containing molecule at 1 bar) by chemical reactions driven by high abundances of photochemical atomic hydrogen. S absorbs strongly between 240 and 340 nm. Optically thick columns of S2 are predicted for any plausible atmospheric composition, despite the S2 abundance increasing with metallicity and uncertainties in the relevant chemical reaction rates. S2 heating peaks at 1 mbar. Although the uncertain chemistry of S3 precludes categorical statements, S3 appears to be the more important of the two for stratospheric heating at plausible planetary metallicities. This is because S3 absorbs more strongly than S2; does so between 350 and 450 nm, where there are considerably more photons; and is more sensitive to metallicity. S3 heating peaks at 10 mbar and is considerable at 100 mbars. S2 has a distinctive near ultraviolet spectrum that should make S2 a relatively easy molecule to detect in transit. CO2 is another interesting photochemical product. Computed CO2 mixing ratios are 0.08 ppm for solar metallicity and >1 ppm for jovian or saturnian metallicities.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Stratospheric Heating in Hot Jupiters by S2 and S3 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Stratospheric Heating in Hot Jupiters by S2 and S3, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Stratospheric Heating in Hot Jupiters by S2 and S3 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1106150