Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2012-04-19
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
submitted to Icarus
Scientific paper
We present results from a simple general circulation model (GCM) of a GJ 1214b-like super-Earth exoplanet. The dynamical core of our model is a scaled-up version of a shallow atmosphere, terrestrial planet GCM that has previously been used for Mars and therefore employs different boundary conditions and physical processes than downsized gas giant models. We assume the planet is tidally locked and has the observed characteristics of GJ-1214b [Charbonneau et al. 2009] for surface mass, surface radius, orbital period, and surface gravitational acceleration. We assume the atmosphere is composed entirely of water vapor. We assume the planet has a surface (i.e., a density discontinuity at depth), which will provide a mechanical drag and affect the radiative balance at the bottom boundary. We assume a gray atmosphere in the IR. We find that a westerly jet is present aloft at the equator and that the longitude of maximum temperature is shifted eastward of the substellar point. A wavenumber-1 feature is present in the equatorial vertical velocity field, indicative of a standing Kelvin and/or Rossby wave. As such, the circulation does not exhibit a cellular structure as on terrestrial Solar System planets; rather, air parcels move up and down on closed horizontal circuits and always return to the same location. The flow at the midlatitudes and poles has both an easterly component and a component that flows poleward along the evening terminator and equatorward along the morning terminator. Temperature inversions exist in the boundary layer and aloft, which are a result of variations in horizontal heat transport. The flow within the boundary layer is more convergent than in the atmosphere aloft. The surface pressure is higher at the poles than the equator. (abridged)
Madhusudhan Nikku
Michaels Timothy I.
Zalucha Angela M.
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