Flexible 3D models to explore the vast diversity of terrestrial planets and
interpret observational data are still in their early stages. In this work, we
present OASIS: a novel and flexible 3D virtual planet laboratory. With OASIS we
envision a platform that couples self-consistently seven individual modules
representing the main physical and chemical processes that shape planetary
environments. Additionally, OASIS is capable of producing simulated spectra
from different instruments and observational techniques. In this work we focus
on the benchmark test of coupling four of the physical modules: fluid dynamics,
radiation, turbulence and surface/soil. To test the OASIS platform, we produced
3D simulations of the Venus climate and its atmospheric circulation and study
how the modeled atmosphere changes with various cloud covers, atmospheric heat
capacity, and surface friction. 3D simulations of Venus are challenging because
they require long integration times with a computationally expensive radiative
transfer code. By comparing OASIS results with observational data, we verify
that the new model is able to successfully simulate Venus. With simulated
spectra produced directly from the 3D simulations, we explore the capabilities
of future missions, like LUVOIR, to observe Venus analogs located at a distance
of 10 pc. With OASIS, we have taken the first steps to build a sophisticated
and very flexible platform capable of studying the environment of terrestrial
planets, which will be an essential tool to characterize observed terrestrial
planets and plan future observations.Comment: MNRAS published versio