The study of cosmology, galaxy formation and exoplanetary systems has now advanced to a stage where a cosmic inventory of terrestrial planets may be attempted. By coupling semi-analytic models of […]
extrasolar planet
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Effects of Dynamical Evolution of Giant Planets on the Delivery of Atmophile Elements During Terrestrial Planet Formation
In this paper, we explore how the compositions of terrestrial planets are affected by dynamical evolution of giant planets. We estimate the initial compositions of building blocks of these rocky […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Super-Earth Atmospheres: Self-Consistent Gas Accretion and Retention
Some recently discovered short-period Earth to Neptune sized exoplanets (super Earths) have low observed mean densities which can only be explained by voluminous gaseous atmospheres. Here, we study the conditions […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Measurements of Water Surface Snow Lines in Classical Protoplanetary Disks
We present deep Herschel-PACS spectroscopy of far-infrared water lines from a sample of four protoplanetary disks around solar-mass stars, selected to have strong water emission at mid-infrared wavelengths. By combining […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Comparative Habitability of Transiting Exoplanets
Exoplanet habitability is traditionally assessed by comparing a planet’s semi-major axis to the location of its host star’s “habitable zone,” the shell around a star for which Earth-like planets can […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Tidal Heating of Earth-like Exoplanets Around M Stars
The internal thermal and magnetic evolution of rocky exoplanets is critical to their habitability. We focus on the thermal-orbital evolution of Earth-mass planets around low mass M stars whose radiative […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Press Release
Tatooine Nurseries: Structure and Evolution of Circumbinary Protoplanetary Disks
Recent discoveries of circumbinary planets by Kepler mission provide motivation for understanding their birthplaces – protoplanetary disks around stellar binaries with separations
Posted inAstrogeology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Plate Tectonic-Climate Coupling, Exposed Land Area, and Habitable Climates on Rocky Planets
The long-term carbon cycle is vital for maintaining liquid water oceans on rocky planets due to the negative climate feedbacks involved in silicate weathering. Plate tectonics plays a crucial role […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Detection of Water Vapor in Terrestrial Planet Forming Region of a Transition Disk
We report a detection of water vapor in the protoplanetary disk around DoAr 44 with the Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph – a visitor instrument on the Gemini north telescope. […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones, Press Release
Finding Another Earth
The discovery of a super-Earth-sized planet orbiting a sun-like star brings us closer than ever to finding a twin of our own watery world. But NASA’s Kepler space telescope has […]