event
Wednesday 19 Oct 2011: Time-dependent modelling of extrasolar planets atmospheres
Dr Nicolas Iro - Keele University
Physics, 4th Floor interaction area 11:00-12:00
Close-in exoplanets (orbiting at less than 0.1 Astronomical Unit) experience very strong stellar irradiation. If they are in synchronous rotation -- as they are expected since the strong tidal forces from the star quickly synchronize the planet -- the difference of temperature between the constantly exposed day side and the night side should lead to intense atmospheric dynamics.
For larger semi-major axis, the differential rotation as well as the eventual eccentricity generate a time-varying incoming flux from the star for each atmospheric parcel. In that framework, it is not strange that static models have difficulties to reproduce or explain some observational constraints. A time-dependent radiative transfer model is essential in order to understand the extrasolar planets atmospheric structure. I will discuss the problems of time-dependency in exoplanets atmosphere and present a model where some of the issues are taken into account.
