Modelling the Upper Atmosphere of Gas-Giant Exoplanets Irradiated by Low-Mass Stars

Download or read book Modelling the Upper Atmosphere of Gas-Giant Exoplanets Irradiated by Low-Mass Stars written by Joshua Chadney and published by Springer. This book was released on 2017-07-24 with total page 179 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This PhD thesis details the development of a new 1D ionospheric model to describe the upper atmospheres of extrasolar giant plants. The upper atmospheres of Hot Jupiters are subject to extreme radiation conditions that can result in rapid atmospheric escape. The composition and structure of these planets’ upper atmospheres are affected by high-energy emissions from the host star. The nature of these emissions depends on the stellar type and age, making them important factors in understanding the behaviour of exoplanetary atmospheres.