Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Nov 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011iaus..276..189r&link_type=abstract
The Astrophysics of Planetary Systems: Formation, Structure, and Dynamical Evolution, Proceedings of the International Astronomi
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Stars: Individual (Gj1214), Planetary Systems
Scientific paper
GJ 1214b is one of the first discovered transiting planets having mass (6.55 M⊕) and radius (2.678 R⊕) smaller than Neptune. To account for its low average density (1870 kg m-3), GJ 1214b must have a significant gas component. We use interior structure models to constrain GJ 1214b's gas envelope mass, and to explore the conditions needed to achieve within the planet pressures and temperatures conducive to liquid water. We consider three possible origins for the gas layer: direct accretion of gas from the protoplanetary nebula, sublimation of ices, and outgassing from rocky material. Despite having an equilibrium temperature below 647 K (the critical temperature of water) GJ 1214b does not have liquid water under most conditions we consider. Even if the outer envelope is predominantly sublimated water ice, in our model a low intrinsic planet luminosity (less than 2 TW) is needed for the water envelope to pass through the liquid phase; at higher interior luminosities the outer envelope transitions from a vapor to a super-fluid then to a plasma at successively greater depths.
Rogers Leslie A.
Seager Sara
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