105 research outputs found
A phase-space study of jet formation in planetary-scale fluids
The interaction between planetary waves and an arbitrary zonal flow is
studied from a phase-space viewpoint. Using the Wigner distribution, a
planetary wave Vlasov equation is derived that includes the contribution of the
mean flow to the zonal potential vorticity gradient. This equation is applied
to the problem of planetary wave modulational instability, where it is used to
predict a fastest growing mode of finite wavenumber. A wave-mean flow numerical
model is used to test the analytical predictions, and an intuitive explanation
of modulational instability and jet asymmetry is given via the motion of
planetary wavepackets in phase space.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figure
Earth’s polar night boundary layer as an analogue for dark side inversions on synchronously rotating terrestrial exoplanets
A key factor in determining the potential habitability of synchronously rotating planets is the strength of the atmospheric boundary layer inversion between the dark side surface and the free atmosphere. Here we analyse data obtained from polar night measurements at the South Pole and Alert Canada, which are the closest analogues on Earth to conditions on the dark sides of synchronously rotating exoplanets without and with a maritime influence, respectively. On Earth, such inversions rarely exceed 30 K in strength, because of the effect of turbulent mixing induced by phenomena such as so-called mesoscale slope winds, which have horizontal scales of 10s to 100s of km, suggesting a similar constraint to near-surface dark side inversions. We discuss the sensitivity of inversion strength to factors such as orography and the global-scale circulation, and compare them to a simulation of the planet Proxima Centauri b. Our results demonstrate the importance of comparisons with Earth data in exoplanet research, and highlight the need for further studies of the exoplanet atmospheric collapse problem using mesoscale and eddy-resolving models
Predictions of the atmospheric composition of GJ 1132b
GJ 1132 b is a nearby Earth-sized exoplanet transiting an M dwarf, and is
amongst the most highly characterizable small exoplanets currently known. In
this paper we study the interaction of a magma ocean with a water-rich
atmosphere on GJ 1132b and determine that it must have begun with more than 5
wt% initial water in order to still retain a water-based atmosphere. We also
determine the amount of O2 that can build up in the atmosphere as a result of
hydrogen dissociation and loss. We find that the magma ocean absorbs at most
~10% of the O2 produced, whereas more than 90% is lost to space through
hydrodynamic drag. The most common outcome for GJ 1132 b from our simulations
is a tenuous atmosphere dominated by O2, although for very large initial water
abundances atmospheres with several thousands of bars of O2 are possible. A
substantial steam envelope would indicate either the existence of an earlier H2
envelope or low XUV flux over the system's lifetime. A steam atmosphere would
also imply the continued existence of a magma ocean on GJ 1132 b. Further
modeling is needed to study the evolution of CO2 or N2-rich atmospheres on GJ
1132 b.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted at Ap
Titan's past and future: 3D modeling of a pure nitrogen atmosphere and geological implications
Several clues indicate that Titan's atmosphere has been depleted in methane
during some period of its history, possibly as recently as 0.5-1 billion years
ago. It could also happen in the future. Under these conditions, the atmosphere
becomes only composed of nitrogen with a range of temperature and pressure
allowing liquid or solid nitrogen to condense. Here, we explore these exotic
climates throughout Titan's history with a 3D Global Climate Model (GCM)
including the nitrogen cycle and the radiative effect of nitrogen clouds. We
show that for the last billion years, only small polar nitrogen lakes should
have formed. Yet, before 1 Ga, a significant part of the atmosphere could have
condensed, forming deep nitrogen polar seas, which could have flowed and
flooded the equatorial regions. Alternatively, nitrogen could be frozen on the
surface like on Triton, but this would require an initial surface albedo higher
than 0.65 at 4 Ga. Such a state could be stable even today if nitrogen ice
albedo is higher than this value. According to our model, nitrogen flows and
rain may have been efficient to erode the surface. Thus, we can speculate that
a paleo-nitrogen cycle may explain the erosion and the age of Titan's surface,
and may have produced some of the present valley networks and shorelines.
Moreover, by diffusion of liquid nitrogen in the crust, a paleo-nitrogen cycle
could be responsible of the flattening of the polar regions and be at the
origin of the methane outgassing on Titan.Comment: Accepted for publication in Icarus on July 7, 201
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