Simulated Climate of TRAPPIST-1e Using MPAS-A and Comparisons with Other GCMs

Abstract

Dayside convection is one of the most important contributors to a tidally locked planet’s climate. Considering the long-standing challenge of simulating convections, we employ a convection-resolving model known as the Model for Prediction across Scales—Atmosphere and perform a series of simulations with spatial resolution ranging from 960 to 10 km. With TRAPPIST-1e, a potentially habitable exoplanet, as the target, we aim to draw a comparative analysis against the results from the TRAPPIST-1 Habitable Atmosphere Intercomparison project. Regarding the overall climate states, our simulations reaffirm the findings of the previous general circulation model (GCM). Both the extensive substellar cloud cluster and the intricate cloud street feature are successfully reproduced. The influence of varying grid resolution exhibits a remarkably marginal impact across our resolution spectrum, albeit with a slightly heightened sensitivity observed at the nightside. Major differences center around the cloud-related variables, including cloud phase (liquid and ice), amount, and height, in both the grid resolution assessments and GCM intercomparison scenarios. Furthermore, we explore the repercussions on the phase curve and transit spectrum.