Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Sep 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011ess.....2.1205m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, ESS meeting #2, #12.05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Recent observations are allowing unprecedented constraints on the carbon-to-oxygen (C/O) ratios of exoplanetary atmospheres. C/O ratios place important constraints on planet formation scenarios, planetary interiors, and on the atmospheric temperature profiles. In this talk, we will present observational constraints on atmospheric C/O ratios for an ensemble of transiting exoplanets, along with corresponding constraints on their formation conditions in the protoplanetary disks. Based on these observational inferences and new theoretical work, we introduce a new classification scheme for strongly irradiated exoplanets. In the past, giant exoplanets were classified solely on the basis of the degree of irradiation received from the host star - the so called TiO/VO hypothesis, in which the hotter class is expected to host thermal inversions, and the cooler class to not host thermal inversions. Observations in recent years have revealed several anomalies to this one-dimensional hypothesis; irradiation being the single dimension. In this work, we demonstrate that almost all the extreme anomalies reported in the literature, can be explained based on a new two-dimensional classification scheme, in which irradiation and the atmospheric C/O ratio are the two dimensions. One of the four quadrants in this 2-D phase space corresponds to the exotic new class of high-temperature carbon-rich atmospheres, such as that of WASP-12b, which are readily observable with existing and forthcoming instruments. We will report several candidate carbon-rich exoplanets along with ongoing efforts towards confirming these candidates. We will discuss the atmospheric chemistry and temperature structure of planets in the four quadrants, their formation scenarios, and the chemistry and apportionment of ices, rock, and volatiles in their interiors.
No associations
LandOfFree
C/O Ratios In Exoplanetary Atmospheres: A New Classification System And Implications For Planet Formation. 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 C/O Ratios In Exoplanetary Atmospheres: A New Classification System And Implications For Planet Formation., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and C/O Ratios In Exoplanetary Atmospheres: A New Classification System And Implications For Planet Formation. will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-832720