Other
Scientific paper
Jan 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21345413f&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #213, #454.13; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.352
Other
Scientific paper
X-ray studies of planetary systems are beginning to provide important insights inaccessible at other wavelengths. In our Solar System, charge exchange emission from solar particles is faint and variable with complex spectra, a situation well-matched to the planned International X-ray Observatory's high-throughput and high spectral resolution. Solar-type stars universally exhibit enhanced magnetic activity during their youth so that X-ray studies reveal the high-energy inputs to protoplanetary disks and planetary atmospheres. It is possible that X-ray illumination is a critical regulator to the formation of planets. This paper is based on the report of the Con-X ``Solar System, Planet Formation and Evolution'' Science Panel.
(1) X-ray irradiation of protoplanetary disks can be probed with the 6.4 keV iron fluorescent line. Seen in a handful of protostars with Chandra and XMM, IXO will survey the line in hundreds of young stellar systems and will quantify the 10-30 keV emission stellar emission that can penetrate deep into the disk. In a few cases, X-ray `superflares' will permit disk reverberation mapping. Combined with infrared and submillimeter studies, IXO will establish the importance of X-ray illumination on protoplanetary disk physics and chemistry.
(2) Planetary atmospheres show rapidly varying X-ray components from charge exchange of heavy solar wind ions, electron bremsstrahlung continuum from ion-neutral interactions, and scattering and fluorescence of solar X-ray emission. IXO will produce a movie of these effects in Jupiter as the planet rotates and responds to solar flare/CME events. IXO study of the remarkable Martian X-ray exosphere will constrain the evaporation of planetary atmospheres.
Three additional science programs are outlined: study of charge exchange processes in cometary comae; spectroscopy of diffuse heliospheric charge exchange X-rays previously attributed to the hot local interstellar medium; and measurements of flaring in stars hosting extrasolar planets in the Habitable Zone to evaluate atmospheric evaporation.
Elsner Ronald
Feigelson Eric
Glassgold Alfred
Guedel Manuel
Montmerle Th.
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