Hannover 2016 – scientific programme

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

SYML: Symposium From First Molecules to Life

SYML 1: From First Molecules to Life

SYML 1.4: Invited Talk

Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 12:30–13:00, e415

Exoplanets: The Thorny Path to Habitable Conditions — •Manuel Güdel — Dept. Astrophysics, University of Vienna

Habitable conditions on planetary surfaces evolve as a consequence of complex interactions between the host star, the planet itself, and a variety of solid bodies in interplanetary space. The long journey toward habitability begins in the protoplanetary disk, the birthplace of planets; here, important molecules such as water and organics form, but also protoplanetary bodies grow and eventually accrete gas envelopes from the disk. At later stages, outgassing and colliding smaller bodies begin to form a secondary atmosphere with important molecular ingredients such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water. Meanwhile, the evolving stellar conditions, in particular stellar high-energy radiation and ionized winds, influence the evolution of the atmosphere, potentially leading to its severe erosion. In this presentation, I will describe the intricate interplay between these factors and discuss conditions that need to be met before a planet can become habitable.