COSMIC-RAY IONIZATION AND HAZES ON HOT JUPITERS
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Ohio State University
Abstract
The chemical evolution of life begins in the diffuse interstellar medium and culminates in the atmosphere and on the surface of a planet. The origin of life on earth took place when the sun's magnetic winds more efficiently reduced the number of ambient galactic cosmic ray (CR) particles of energy $< 1$ GeV. We consider the chemical effect of galactic cosmic ray exclusion on a giant gas planet $< 1$ AU from its host star. Taking our previous work on CR ionization within the atmospheres of free-floating planets as a starting point, we utilize an ion-neutral chemical network for atmospheres under initial conditions and physical parameters for a giant gas planet. These initial conditions and parameters are determined by the Drift-Phoenix model atmosphere code, which simultaneously treats radiative transfer and dust nucleation, settling and growth. Two cases are explored: a terrestrial CR spectrum and the same spectrum with a cut-off at 1 GeV. In the second case, we find a reduction in complex carbon species, e.g. C$_2$H$_2$ and C$_2$H$_4$, in the upper atmosphere. This result has implications for the haze observed on GJ 1214b.
Description
Author Institution: SUPA, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of St Andrews, KY16 9SS; Leiden Observatory, P.O. Box 9513, NL-2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands