Bremen 2017 – scientific programme

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EP: Fachverband Extraterrestrische Physik

EP 15: Exoplaneten und Astrobiologie

EP 15.3: Talk

Friday, March 17, 2017, 11:45–12:00, GW2 B2880

The Influence of Stellar Variability on the Atmospheres of Exoplanets Orbiting K- and M-Stars — •Vanessa Schmidt and Miriam Sinnhuber — Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany

With the advent of new ground- and space-based observations, it now becomes increasingly possible to observe features of the atmospheric composition of extrasolar planets. In principle, this allows for the detection of atmospheric signatures indicative of life (biosignatures).

An important factor influencing the occurence of these biosignatures is the variable stellar activity of the host star, which alters the incident cosmic ray and stellar ray flux into the atmosphere. Cosmic and stellar rays ionize the atmosphere, starting a chain of very fast ion-chemistry reactions which can significantly affect the chemical composition of the exoplanets' atmosphere.

We develope and apply a detailed ion chemistry model to investigate the impact of stellar activity on the neutral composition of exoplanets of varying atmospheric composition.

In cooperation with the DLR Adlershof and the University of Kiel, this PhD research is part of a DFG-funded project to model the spectra of exoplanetary atmospheres.