Study Of Planetary Atmospheres Research Articles

Coupled atmospheric chemistry, radiation, and dynamics of an exoplanet generate self-sustained oscillations.

Nonlinearity in photochemical systems is known to allow self-sustained oscillations, but they have received little attention in studies of planetary atmospheres. Here, we present a unique, self-oscillatory solution for ozone chemistry of an exoplanet from a numerical simulation using a fully coupled, three-dimensional (3D) atmospheric chemistry-radiation-dynamics model. Forced with nonvarying stellar insolation and emission flux of nitric oxide (NO), atmospheric ozone abundance oscillates by a factor of thirty over a multidecadal timescale. As such self-oscillations can only occur with biological nitrogen fixation contributing to NO emission, we propose that they are a unique class of biosignature. The resulting temporal variability in the atmospheric spectrum is potentially observable. Our results underscore the importance of revisiting the spectra of exoplanets over multidecadal timescales to characterizing the atmospheric chemistry of exoplanets and searching for exoplanet biosignatures. There are also profound implications for comparative planetology and the evolution of the atmospheres of terrestrial planets in the solar system and beyond. Fully coupled, 3D atmospheric chemistry-radiation-dynamics models can reveal new phenomena that may not exist in one-dimensional models, and hence, they are powerful tools for future planetary atmospheric research.

Russian Studies of Planetary Atmospheres in 2019–2022

Russian Studies of Planetary Atmospheres in 2019–2022

Radiative transfer and inversion codes for characterizing planetary atmospheres: an overview

The study of planetary atmospheres is crucial for understanding the origin, evolution, and processes that shape celestial bodies like planets, moons and comets. The interpretation of planetary spectra requires a detailed understanding of radiative transfer (RT) and its application through computational codes. With the advancement of observations, atmospheric modelling, and inference techniques, diverse RT and retrieval codes in planetary science have been proliferated. However, the selection of the most suitable code for a given problem can be challenging. To address this issue, we present a comprehensive mini-overview of the different RT and retrieval codes currently developed or available in the field of planetary atmospheres. This study serves as a valuable resource for the planetary science community by providing a clear and accessible list of codes, and offers a useful reference for researchers and practitioners in their selection and application of RT and retrieval codes for planetary atmospheric studies.

GBB-Nadir and KLIMA: Two Full Physics Codes for the Computation of the Infrared Spectrum of the Planetary Radiation Escaping to Space

In 2019 the Far-Infrared Outgoing Radiation Understanding and Monitoring (FORUM) mission was selected to be the 9th Earth Explorer mission of the European Space Agency (ESA). In the preparatory phase of the mission there was the need for accurate and versatile codes to compute the spectrally resolved Earth radiation escaping to space ( outgoing long-wave radiation, OLR), targets for the FORUM measurements.Moreover, for the study of planetary atmospheres, several instruments measuring the planetary radiation escaping to space have been deployed (i.e., the planetary Fourier spectrometer on Mars express or composite infrared spectrometer on Cassini). For both the analysis of the measurements of these instruments and the design of new instruments, reliable radiative transfer codes need to be available. In this paper, we describe two full physics codes, Geofit broadband-Nadir (GBB-Nadir) and Kyoto protocol-informed management of adaptation (KLIMA), both able to compute the OLR spectrum, while GBB-Nadir is only a forward model, and therefore computes the spectra only, KLIMA implements the computation of spectral radiance derivatives with respect to atmospheric parameters and therefore it is suitable to be used in retrieval codes. The GBB-Nadir code can be interfaced with radiative transfer solvers that include representations of multiple scatterings, making it suitable to compute the radiances in all-sky conditions. KLIMA has been extensively validated comparing its radiances to ones generated by the widely used line-by-line radiative transfer model (LBLRTM) code. In this paper, we describe the latest version of both codes and their comparison. We compared the optical depth computed by GBB-Nadir and KLIMA for given values of pressure, temperature and gas columns for most gases active in the far-infrared and thermal-infrared spectral regions. We show that the optical depths computed by the two codes are in very good agreement. We compared the simulated spectra in clear sky conditions for three different atmospheres (equatorial, mid-latitude and polar) at resolutions of the FORUM instrument. The differences found are well below the expected noise of the FORUM instrument. The KLIMA code has already been used to simulate the observations of the Mars atmosphere, while the limb version of the GBB code has been used to simulate the radiances measured in the limb geometry of planetary atmospheres (Titan and Jupiter). Therefore, we may safely affirm that both codes can be used to simulate the nadir measurements of planetary atmospheres.

INCREASE: An updated model suite to study the INfluence of Cosmic Rays on Exoplanetary AtmoSpherEs

AbstractExoplanets are as diverse as they are fascinating. They vary from ultrahot Jupiter‐like low‐density planets to presumed gas‐ice‐rock mixture worlds such as GJ 1214b or worlds as LHS 1140b, which features twice the Earth's bulk density. Regarding the great diversity of exoplanetary atmospheres, much remains to be explored. For a few selected objects such as GJ1214b, Proxima Centauri b, and the TRAPPIST‐1 planets, the first observations of their atmospheres have already been achieved or are expected in the near future with the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope envisaged in October 2021. However, in order to interpret these observations, model studies of planetary atmospheres that account for various processes—such as atmospheric escape, outgassing, climate, photochemistry, as well as the physics of air showers and the transport of stellar energetic particles and galactic cosmic rays through the stellar astrospheres and planetary magnetic fields—are necessary. Here, we present our model suite INCREASE, a planned extension of the model suite discussed in Herbst, Grenfell, et al. (2019).

The active lives of stars: A complete description of the rotation and XUV evolution of F, G, K, and M dwarfs

Aims. We study the evolution of the rotation and the high energy X-ray, extreme ultraviolet (EUV), and Ly-α emission for F, G, K, and M dwarfs, with masses between 0.1 and 1.2 M⊙, and provide a freely available set of evolutionary tracks for use in planetary atmosphere studies. Methods. We develop a physical rotational evolution model constrained by observed rotation distributions in young stellar clusters. Using rotation, X-ray, EUV, and Ly-α measurements, we derive empirical relations for the dependences of high energy emission on stellar parameters. Our description of X-ray evolution is validated using measurements of X-ray distributions in young clusters. Results. A star’s X-ray, EUV, and Ly-α evolution is determined by its mass and initial rotation rate, with initial rotation being less important for lower mass stars. At all ages, solar mass stars are significantly more X-ray luminous than lower mass stars and stars that are born as rapid rotators remain highly active longer than those born as slow rotators. At all evolutionary stages, habitable zone planets receive higher X-ray and EUV fluxes when orbiting lower mass stars due to their longer evolutionary timescales. The rates of flares follow similar evolutionary trends with higher mass stars flaring more often than lower mass stars at all ages, though habitable zone planets are likely influenced by flares more when orbiting lower mass stars. Conclusions. Our results show that single decay laws are insufficient to describe stellar activity evolution and highlight the need for a more comprehensive description based on the evolution of rotation that also includes the effects of short-term variability. Planets at similar orbital distances from their host stars receive significantly more X-ray and EUV energy over their lifetimes when orbiting higher mass stars. The common belief that M dwarfs are more X-ray and EUV active than G dwarfs is justified only when considering the fluxes received by planets with similar effective temperatures, such as those in the habitable zone.

ESPRESSO at VLT

Context. ESPRESSO is the new high-resolution spectrograph of ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT). It was designed for ultra-high radial-velocity (RV) precision and extreme spectral fidelity with the aim of performing exoplanet research and fundamental astrophysical experiments with unprecedented precision and accuracy. It is able to observe with any of the four Unit Telescopes (UTs) of the VLT at a spectral resolving power of 140 000 or 190 000 over the 378.2 to 788.7 nm wavelength range; it can also observe with all four UTs together, turning the VLT into a 16 m diameter equivalent telescope in terms of collecting area while still providing a resolving power of 70 000. Aims. We provide a general description of the ESPRESSO instrument, report on its on-sky performance, and present our Guaranteed Time Observation (GTO) program along with its first results. Methods. ESPRESSO was installed on the Paranal Observatory in fall 2017. Commissioning (on-sky testing) was conducted between December 2017 and September 2018. The instrument saw its official start of operations on October 1, 2018, but improvements to the instrument and recommissioning runs were conducted until July 2019. Results. The measured overall optical throughput of ESPRESSO at 550 nm and a seeing of 0.65″ exceeds the 10% mark under nominal astroclimatic conditions. We demonstrate an RV precision of better than 25 cm s−1 during a single night and 50 cm s−1 over several months. These values being limited by photon noise and stellar jitter shows that the performance is compatible with an instrumental precision of 10 cm s−1. No difference has been measured across the UTs, neither in throughput nor RV precision. Conclusions. The combination of the large collecting telescope area with the efficiency and the exquisite spectral fidelity of ESPRESSO opens a new parameter space in RV measurements, the study of planetary atmospheres, fundamental constants, stellar characterization, and many other fields.

The Study of the Low-Lying Valence-Shell Excitations of Hydrogen Sulfide by Fast Electron Impact.

The valence-shell excitations of hydrogen sulfide have been studied by fast electron impact at a collision energy of 1.5 keV and an energy resolution of about 70 meV. By analyzing the variations of intensity and shape of the feature in the range of 5.0-7.5 eV at different scattering angles, the excitation energy of 5.85 ± 0.01 eV and the line width of 0.80 ± 0.01 eV of the 3b21A2 state have been determined. The generalized oscillator strengths of the valence-shell excitations in the energy range of 5.0-9.2 eV of hydrogen sulfide have been determined from the measured spectra. The corresponding optical oscillator strengths have been obtained by extrapolating the generalized oscillator strengths to the limit of zero squared momentum transfer. The integral cross sections have also been systematically determined from the threshold to 5000 eV by means of the BE-scaling method. The presently obtained oscillator strengths and integral cross sections have significant applications in the studies of planetary atmospheres and interstellar gases.

Studies of Planetary Atmospheres in Russia (2015–2018)

A review of the results of planetary atmospheres studies performed by Russian scientists in 2015–2018 prepared in the Commission on planetary atmospheres of the National Geophysical Committee for the National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences to the XXVII General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (Montreal, June 8–18, 2019) is presented.

Ethane in Titan’s Stratosphere from Cassini CIRS Far- and Mid-infrared Spectra

The Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) observed thermal emission in the far- and mid-infrared (from 10 cm$^{-1}$ to 1500 cm$^{-1}$), enabling spatiotemporal studies of ethane on Titan across the span of the Cassini mission from 2004 through 2017. Many previous measurements of ethane on Titan have relied on modeling the molecule's mid-infrared $\nu_{12}$ band, centered on 822 cm$^{-1}$. Other bands of ethane at shorter and longer wavelengths were seen, but have not been modeled to measure ethane abundance. Spectral line lists of the far-infrared $\nu_{4}$ torsional band at 289 cm$^{-1}$ and the mid-infrared $\nu_{8}$ band centered ay 1468 cm$^{-1}$ have recently been studied in the laboratory. We model CIRS observations of each of these bands (along with the $\nu_{12}$ band) separately and compare retrieved mixing ratios from each spectral region. Nadir observations of of the $\nu_{4}$ band probe the low stratosphere below 100 km. Our equatorial measurements at 289 cm$^{-1}$ show an abundance of (1.0$\pm$0.4) $\times$10$^{-5}$ at 88 km, from 2007 to 2017. This mixing ratio is consistent with measurements at higher altitudes, in contrast to the depletion that many photochemical models predict. Measurements from the $\nu_{12}$ and $\nu_{8}$ bands are comparable to each other, with the $\nu_{12}$ band probing an altitude range that extends deeper in the atmosphere. We suggest future studies of planetary atmospheres may observe the $\nu_{8}$ band, enabling shorter wavelength studies of ethane. There may also be an advantage to observing both the ethane $\nu_{8}$ band and nearby methane $\nu_{4}$ band in the same spectral window.

Wavelength modulation laser heterodyne radiometry.

A novel method is proposed for improving the performance of traditional laser heterodyne radiometry. The technique, which is based on the use of a wavelength modulated local oscillator laser, provides baseline-free spectra, lower limits of detection, and better precision and consistency than the conventional approach. This tool could, therefore, boost the accuracy of current terrestrial and planetary atmospheric studies.

Colorful Planets, Cometary Tail, and Nuclear Winter

After the 1967 flight of the Venera-4 automatic interplanetary station (AIS), the study of planetary atmospheres became one of the key areas of scientific research at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAPh), USSR Academy of Sciences. The goal of the Venera-4 mission was to deliver a descent vehicle into the atmosphere of Venus and study the physical parameters and chemical composition of the atmosphere. IAPh scientists published several articles on the analysis of these measurements, with A.M. Obukhov himself directly involved in writing some of these articles. An analysis of the properties of the Martian surface and atmosphere from the data of the Mars-2, Mars-3, and Mariner-9 missions in November–December 1971 set the stage for a series of studies on the atmospheric effects of Martian dust storms. Based on the study of the atmospheres of terrestrial planets, IAPh scientists developed a simple model for the nuclear winter phenomenon, i.e., a long-term cooling due to massive fires caused by nuclear explosions. Obukhov took a keen interest in this subject and participated in the publication of review articles on the possible atmospheric and climatic effects of a nuclear war. In another publication, Obukhov and his coauthors provided a theoretical analysis of the possible causes for the tail from Halley’s comet ripping off, as was observed in January 1986. The present article gives a brief overview of the IAPh works on Solar System research and on the possible consequences of a nuclear conflict, which were published in the 1960s–1980s while Obukhov was alive.

Solutions of quasi-geostrophic turbulence in multi-layered configurations

We consider quasi-geostrophic (QG) models in two- and three-layers that are useful in theoretical studies of planetary atmospheres and oceans. In these models, the streamfunctions are given by (1+2) partial differential systems of evolution equations. A two-layer QG model, in a simplified version, is dependent exclusively on the Rossby radius of deformation. However, the f-plane QG point vortex model contains factors such as the density, thickness of each layer, the Coriolis parameter, and the constant of gravitational acceleration, and this two-layered model admits a lesser number of Lie point symmetries, as compared to the simplified model. Finally, we study a three-layer oceanography QG model of special interest, which includes asymmetric wind curl forcing or Ekman pumping, that drives double-gyre ocean circulation. In three-layers, we obtain solutions pertaining to the wind-driven doublegyre ocean flow for a range of physically relevant features, such as lateral friction and the analogue parameters of the f-plane QG model. Zero-order invariants are used to reduce the partial differential systems to ordinary differential systems. We determine conservation laws for these QG systems via multiplier methods.

Disproving the validated planets K2-78b, K2-82b, and K2-92b

Transiting super-Earths orbiting bright stars in short orbital periods are interesting targets for the study of planetary atmospheres. While selecting super-Earths suitable for further characterization from the ground among a list of confirmed and validated exoplanets detected by K2, we found some suspicious cases that led to us re-assessing the nature of the detected transiting signal. We did a photometric analysis of the K2 light curves and centroid motions of the photometric barycenters. Our study shows that the validated planets K2-78b, K2-82b, and K2-92b are actually not planets but background eclipsing binaries. The eclipsing binaries are inside the Kepler photometric aperture, but outside the ground-based high resolution images used for validation. We advise extreme care on the validation of candidate planets discovered by space missions. It is important that all the assumptions in the validation process are carefully checked. An independent confirmation is mandatory in order to avoid wasting valuable resources on further characterization of non-existent targets.

Broadband, high-resolution investigation of advanced absorption line shapes at high temperature.

Spectroscopic studies of planetary atmospheres and high-temperature processes (e.g., combustion) require absorption line-shape models that are accurate over extended temperature ranges. To date, advanced line shapes, like the speed-dependent Voigt and Rautian profiles, have not been tested above room temperature with broadband spectrometers. We investigate pure water vapor spectra from 296 to 1305 K acquired with a dual-frequency comb spectrometer spanning from 6800 to 7200 cm-1 at a point spacing of 0.0033 cm-1 and absolute frequency accuracy of <3.3 × 10-6 cm-1. Using a multispectral fitting analysis, we show that only the speed-dependent Voigt accurately models this temperature range with a single power-law temperature-scaling exponent for the broadening coefficients. Only the data from the analysis using this profile fall within theoretical predictions, suggesting that this mechanism captures the dominant narrowing physics for these high-temperature conditions.

HAZMAT. II. Ultraviolet Variability of Low-mass Stars in the GALEX Archive

Abstract The ultraviolet (UV) light from a host star influences a planet’s atmospheric photochemistry and will affect interpretations of exoplanetary spectra from future missions like the James Webb Space Telescope. These effects will be particularly critical in the study of planetary atmospheres around M dwarfs, including Earth-sized planets in the habitable zone. Given the higher activity levels of M dwarfs compared to Sun-like stars, time-resolved UV data are needed for more accurate input conditions for exoplanet atmospheric modeling. The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) provides multi-epoch photometric observations in two UV bands: near-ultraviolet (NUV; 1771–2831 Å) and far-ultraviolet (FUV; 1344–1786 Å). Within 30 pc of Earth, there are 357 and 303 M dwarfs in the NUV and FUV bands, respectively, with multiple GALEX observations. Simultaneous NUV and FUV detections exist for 145 stars in both GALEX bands. Our analyses of these data show that low-mass stars are typically more variable in the FUV than the NUV. Median variability increases with later spectral types in the NUV with no clear trend in the FUV. We find evidence that flares increase the FUV flux density far more than the NUV flux density, leading to variable FUV to NUV flux density ratios in the GALEX bandpasses.The ratio of FUV to NUV flux is important for interpreting the presence of atmospheric molecules in planetary atmospheres such as oxygen and methane as a high FUV to NUV ratio may cause false-positive biosignature detections. This ratio of flux density in the GALEX bands spans three orders of magnitude in our sample, from 0.008 to 4.6, and is 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than for G dwarfs like the Sun. These results characterize the UV behavior for the largest set of low-mass stars to date.

Studies of planetary atmospheres in Russia (2011–2014)

This paper presents an overview of the results of planetary atmospheric studies carried out by Russian scientists in 2011–2014. The overview is prepared at the Commission on Planetary Atmospheres of the National Geophysical Committee for the Russian national report on meteorology and atmospheric sciences for the XXVI General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (Prague, June 28 to July 07, 2015).

H2, He, and CO2 line-broadening coefficients, pressure shifts and temperature-dependence exponents for the HITRAN database. Part 1: SO2, NH3, HF, HCl, OCS and C2H2

To increase the potential for use of the HITRAN database in astronomy, experimental and theoretical line-broadening coefficients, line shifts and temperature-dependence exponents of molecules of planetary interest broadened by H2, He, and CO2 have been assembled from available peer-reviewed sources. The collected data were used to create semi-empirical models so that every HITRAN line of the studied molecules has corresponding parameters. Since H2 and He are major constituents in the atmospheres of gas giants, and CO2 predominates in atmospheres of some rocky planets with volcanic activity, these spectroscopic data are important for remote sensing studies of planetary atmospheres. In this paper we make the first step in assembling complete sets of these parameters, thereby creating datasets for SO2, NH3, HF, HCl, OCS and C2H2.

EChO spectra and stellar activity – I

Stellar activity is the major astrophysical limiting factor for the study of planetary atmospheres. Its variability and spectral characteristics may affect the extraction of the planetary signal even for moderately active stars. A technique based on spectral change in the visible band was developed to estimate the effects in the infrared due to star activity. This method has been purposely developed for the EChO mission which had the crucial characteristics of monitoring simultaneously a broadband from visible to infrared. Thanks to this capability the optical spectrum, whose variations are mainly due to stellar activity, has been used as in an instantaneous calibrator to correct the infrared spectrum. The technique is based on principal component analysis which significantly reduces the dimensionality of the spectra. The method was tested on a set of simulations with realistic photon noise. It can be generalized to any chromatic variability effects provided that optical and infrared variations are correlated.

Science issues of the “Spektr-UF” project

The “Spektr-UF” project (“World Space Observatory-Ultraviolet” (WSO-UV)) will be the largest space observatory for observations in the UV band. In this paper we briefly outline the key science issues that the WSO-UV will address during its lifetime with the help of its instrumentation: spectrographs and a field camera unit. Of special interest are early Universe physics (reionization and search for baryonic matter), star formation, chemical evolution of galaxies, astrophysical accretion processes, stellar atmosphere physics, and planetary atmosphere studies.