Composition and Fate of Short-period Super-earths: The Case of CoRoT-7b

Details Composition and Fate of Short-period Super-earths: The Case of CoRoT-7b Composition and Fate of Short-period Super-earths: The Case of CoRoT-7b

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.0805v&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #8.05

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

Scientific paper

The smallest transiting planet, CoRoT-7b with a measured radius of 1.68 ± 0.09 RE is also the closest one to its star with a semi-major axis of only 0.017 AU. This is probably the first of many short-period super-Earths expected to be discovered with Kepler and the next phases of CoRoT. To investigate its possible composition, structure and state we use knowledge of hot Jupiters, mass loss estimates and models for the interior structure and evolution. Although detailed modeling should address this problem, we calculate the mass loss to be large (around 1011 g/s) and somewhat independent of the planet's composition. We consider different possible compositions and conclude that to conform to the planet's radius and irradiation, CoRoT-7b contains less than 1% of its mass in hydrogen and helium, or less than 20% in steam. Furthermore, if rocky, CoRoT-7b should have a mass between 4 and 15 ME, and if icy, its mass could be as low as 2 ME. The scenarios for the origin of this planet are two-fold: It may have always had a terrestrial composition and suffer some mass evaporation, or it may be the remnant of a Uranus-like ice giant or gas giant with a small core that was entirely stripped of its gaseous envelope. Our predictions can be tested by measurements of the mass and possibly the detection of evaporating silicates at a rate that should be within and order of magnitude of that measured for HD209458b.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Composition and Fate of Short-period Super-earths: The Case of CoRoT-7b 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 Composition and Fate of Short-period Super-earths: The Case of CoRoT-7b, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Composition and Fate of Short-period Super-earths: The Case of CoRoT-7b will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-839328