Exotic clouds on molten super-Earths
Abstract
The atmosphere of the hot super Earth 55 Cnc e shows strong variability, for which cloud formation above a molten crust could be one possible explanation. If cloud formation takes place in a planetary atmosphere this affects the gas composition, its cooling and heating rates and it can dim or lead to spectral features. We have run cloud formation models for atmospheres of hot super Earths with various oxidation states. Our models combine radiative transfer with equilibrium chemistry of the gaseous and condensed phases, vertical mixing of condensable species, sedimentation, nucleation and coagulation. In this talk I will present the results of this study, focusing on the impact of the oxidation state of rocky planet atmospheres on cloud stability and composition. I will also discuss the main spectroscopic features which we can expect from these clouds in the wavelength range covered by JWST and Ariel.
Authors 6
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Leoni Janssen Aachen
Affiliation as printed
Leiden University
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Affiliation as printed
Leiden University
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
Netherlands Institute for Space Research
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Affiliation as printed
Tsinghua University
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
Netherlands Institute for Space Research
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Christiaan van Buchem Aachen
Affiliation as printed
Leiden University
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