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Atmospheric dynamics on tidally locked Earth-like planets in the habitable zone of an M dwarf star

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 January 2014

Ludmila Carone ,
Rony Keppens  and
Leen Decin
Ludmila Carone
Affiliation:
Centre for mathematical Plasma Astrophysics, Department of Mathematics, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200B, 3000 Leuven, Belgium email: [email protected]
Rony Keppens
Affiliation:
Centre for mathematical Plasma Astrophysics, Department of Mathematics, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200B, 3000 Leuven, Belgium email: [email protected]
Leen Decin
Affiliation:
Instituut voor Sterrenkunde, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Abstract

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We investigated the large scale atmospheric circulation of Gl581g, a potentially habitable planet around an M dwarf star, using an idealized dry global circulation model (GCM) with simplified thermal forcing as a first step towards a systematic extended parameter study. The results are compared with the work of Joshi et al. (1997) who investigated a tidally-locked habitable Earth analogue with less than half the rotation period of Gl581g. The extent, form and strength of the atmospheric circulation in each model generally agree with each other, even though the models differ in key parameters such as planetary radius, surface gravity, forcing scheme and rotation period. The substellar point is associated with an uprising direct circulation-branch of a Hadley-like cell with return flow over the poles. It is compelling to assume that the substellar point of a tidally locked terrestrial exoplanet behaves dynamically like the Earth's tropic associated with clouds and precipitation, making it an ideal target for habitability.

Keywords

planetary systems
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 8 , Symposium S299: Exploring the Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems , June 2013 , pp. 376 - 377
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2013 

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