Characterizing Super-Earths and Mini-Neptunes
Diana Valencia
MIT
In the frontier field of exoplanets, super-Earths are the newest
class. There is much to be learned about these objects because they do
not exist in the solar system. The composition of these planets reflects
their initial chemical inventory and early formation processes, such as
giant impact collisions and atmospheric evaporation. While inferring the
composition of super-Earths and mini-Neptunes is a difficult endeavor given
the degenerate character of the problem, it illuminates formation processes
in a new parameter space. I will present results on the composition of
the transiting low-mass planets and its connection to early formation
processes. Interestingly, the subset of super-Earths that are solid (either
terrestrial or ocean/icy-like) may have evolved habitable conditions. The
thermal evolution of a solid planet is intimately connected to its interior
dynamics, which is determined by the behavior of fluid and heat transport
under high pressures and temperatures. I will discuss the newest results
on the interior dynamics and thermal evolution of rocky super-Earths. This
work will help in our search for habitable planets.
Date: | Tuesday, 24 January 2012 |
Time: | 16:00 |
Where: | McGill University |
| Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, Board Room (room 105) |
Contact: | Robert Rutledge |
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