[astro-ph.EP] We present radiative-convective modeling of rocky exoplanets with He-dominated atmospheres and low envelope mass fractions. Helium has a steeper adiabatic temperature profile than N2 and H2 as it has […]
![Cartoon illustrating the effect of the runaway greenhouse transition on atmospheric composition for two rocky planets with identical He, H2O and CO2 inventories. With a thin He atmosphere, planets below the runaway greenhouse limit (right) will have He-rich upper atmospheres and may support surface liquid water. For planets inside the inner edge of the habitable zone (left), H2O from liquid water oceans and CO2 from carbonates are transported into the atmosphere, dramatically decreasing the scale height and making the transit spectrum of the planet flatter. -- [astro-ph.EP]](https://i0.wp.com/astrobiology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Climates-of-temperate.png?resize=1200%2C720&ssl=1)
[astro-ph.EP] We present radiative-convective modeling of rocky exoplanets with He-dominated atmospheres and low envelope mass fractions. Helium has a steeper adiabatic temperature profile than N2 and H2 as it has […]