We study the masses and radii of 60 exoplanets smaller than 4 Earth radii with orbital periods shorter than 100 days. We find a nearly linear mass-radius relation: M/M_E= 3.17 […]
extrasolar planets
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Water in Protoplanetary Disks: Deuteration and Turbulent Mixing
We investigate water and deuterated water chemistry in turbulent protoplanetary disks. Chemical rate equations are solved with the diffusion term, mimicking turbulent mixing in vertical direction. Water near the midplane […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Water and Low Mass Stars
If water is the source of life, then finding the source of water certainly qualifies as a worthy astrobiological endeavor. Scientists have formulated certain scenarios for how our planet became […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Same Frequency of Planets Inside and Outside Open Clusters of Stars
Most stars and their planets form in open clusters. Over 95 per cent of such clusters have stellar densities too low (less than a hundred stars per cubic parsec) to […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Chemical Kinetics on Extrasolar Planets
Chemical kinetics plays an important role in controlling the atmospheric composition of all planetary atmospheres, including those of extrasolar planets. For the hottest exoplanets, the composition can closely follow thermochemical-equilibrium […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Two Suns May Be Better than One for Planetary Habitability
An International Collaboration of FACom researchers and astronomers of the University of Texas (El Paso) and New Mexico State University have discovered a physical mechanism that could make binary stars […]