Earth as an Extrasolar Planet: The VPL Earth Model Validated Against EPOXI Observations

Details Earth as an Extrasolar Planet: The VPL Earth Model Validated Against EPOXI Observations Earth as an Extrasolar Planet: The VPL Earth Model Validated Against EPOXI Observations

Sep 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009dps....41.0810r&link_type=abstract

American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #41, #8.10

Biology

Scientific paper

The EPOXI Discovery Mission of Opportunity obtained spatially- and temporally-resolved visible photometric (0.3-1.0um) and near-infrared spectroscopic (1.05-4.8um) observations of Earth on three dates (3/19/08, 5/29/08 and 6/5/08). We have used the NASA Astrobiology Institute's Virtual Planetary Laboratory 3-D spectral Earth model to simulate these data and have matched visible, multi-wavelength 24-hr lightcurves of the Earth to within 3% at most wavelengths. To reproduce the observations we have run the model at a spatial resolution of over 12,000 pixels, an atmospheric resolution of 48 pixels and a cloud treatment with 6 categories of water clouds. We were only able to match EPOXI near-infrared spectroscopic observations of Earth by including an additional globally-distributed, optically thin layer of cirrus clouds. These clouds are difficult to detect and quantify using most space-based Earth observing instruments. Our updated model is capable of generating spatially- and temporally-resolved spectra of Earth, making it a useful tool for feasibility studies for future space-based planet detection mission (e.g., NASA TPF and ESA Darwin). The model also will be used to better understand sensitivity to global signatures of habitability and life in disk-averaged spectra of Earth. As an example of the application of this model to future extrasolar terrestrial planet observations we have used it to simulate the phase-dependent contribution of Earth's ocean "glint spot” to the total illuminated fraction. The "glint spot" is generated by specular reflection of sunlight on Earth's oceans and could potentially be used to detect oceans on extrasolar planets. Both clouds and oceans exhibit phase-dependent brightnesses, possibly obscuring the detection of, or eliminating the ocean glint.

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