Effects of magnetic fields on the location of the evaporation valley for low-mass exoplanets
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Owen, James E
Adams, Fred C
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The observed distribution of radii for exoplanets shows a bimodal form that can be explained by mass-loss from planetary atmospheres due to high-energy radiation emitted by their host stars. The location of the minimum of this radius distribution depends on the mass–radius relation, which in turn depends on the composition of planetary cores. Current studies suggest that super-Earth and mini-Neptune planets have iron-rich and hence largely Earth-like composition cores. This paper explores how non-zero planetary magnetic fields can decrease the expected mass-loss rates from these planets. These lower mass-loss rates, in turn, affect the location of the minimum of the radius distribution and the inferred chemical composition of the planetary cores.
Date Issued
2019-11-21
Date Acceptance
2019-09-12
Citation
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2019, 490 (1), pp.15-20
ISSN
0035-8711
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Start Page
15
End Page
20
Journal / Book Title
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume
490
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2019 The Author(s) Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model). This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version James E Owen, Fred C Adams, Effects of magnetic fields on the location of the evaporation valley for low-mass exoplanets, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 490, Issue 1, November 2019, Pages 15–20 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz2601
This article is published and distributed under the terms of the Oxford University Press, Standard Journals Publication Model (https://academic.oup.com/journals/pages/open_access/funder_policies/chorus/standard_publication_model). This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced version of an article accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version James E Owen, Fred C Adams, Effects of magnetic fields on the location of the evaporation valley for low-mass exoplanets, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 490, Issue 1, November 2019, Pages 15–20 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stz2601
Sponsor
The Royal Society
Identifier
https://academic.oup.com/mnras/article/490/1/15/5570613/
Grant Number
UF150412
Subjects
Astronomy & Astrophysics
0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2019-09-16