Atmospheric escape and the evolution of close-in exoplanets
File(s)
Submitted version
Author(s)
Owen, James E
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Exoplanets with substantial hydrogen/helium atmospheres have been discovered in abundance, many residing extremely close to their parent stars.
The extreme irradiation levels that these atmospheres experience cause them
to undergo hydrodynamic atmospheric escape. Ongoing atmospheric escape has been observed to be occurring in a few nearby exoplanet systems through transit spectroscopy both for hot Jupiters and for lower-mass
super-Earths and mini-Neptunes. Detailed hydrodynamic calculations that
incorporate radiative transfer and ionization chemistry are now common in
one-dimensional models, and multidimensional calculations that incorporate magnetic fields and interactions with the interstellar environment are
cutting edge. However, comparison between simulations and observations
remains very limited.While hot Jupiters experience atmospheric escape, the
mass-loss rates are not high enough to affect their evolution. However, for
lower-mass planets, atmospheric escape drives and controls their evolution,
sculpting the exoplanet population that we observe today.
The extreme irradiation levels that these atmospheres experience cause them
to undergo hydrodynamic atmospheric escape. Ongoing atmospheric escape has been observed to be occurring in a few nearby exoplanet systems through transit spectroscopy both for hot Jupiters and for lower-mass
super-Earths and mini-Neptunes. Detailed hydrodynamic calculations that
incorporate radiative transfer and ionization chemistry are now common in
one-dimensional models, and multidimensional calculations that incorporate magnetic fields and interactions with the interstellar environment are
cutting edge. However, comparison between simulations and observations
remains very limited.While hot Jupiters experience atmospheric escape, the
mass-loss rates are not high enough to affect their evolution. However, for
lower-mass planets, atmospheric escape drives and controls their evolution,
sculpting the exoplanet population that we observe today.
Editor(s)
Jeanloz, R
Freeman, KH
Date Issued
2019-05
Date Acceptance
2018-12-01
Citation
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 2019, 47, pp.67-90
ISSN
0084-6597
Publisher
Annual Reviews
Start Page
67
End Page
90
Journal / Book Title
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Volume
47
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2019 by Annual Reviews.
All rights reserved. Preprint posted with permission from the Annual Review of 2019, Volume 47© by Annual Reviews, https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-earth-053018-060246
All rights reserved. Preprint posted with permission from the Annual Review of 2019, Volume 47© by Annual Reviews, https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-earth-053018-060246
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000470274200004&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Astronomy & Astrophysics
atmospheric evolution
ENERGETIC NEUTRAL ATOMS
exoplanet composition
exoplanets
Geology
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
GIANT PLANETS
HOT-JUPITERS
HYDROGEN
MASS-LOSS
Physical Sciences
RADIATION
Science & Technology
STELLAR WINDS
SUPER-EARTHS
TERRESTRIAL PLANETS
X-RAY
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2018-12-10