From solar-system planets to exoplanets
Abstract
Solar-system planets fall into two distinct categories, the terrestrial planets and the giant planets, which can be simply interpreted in the frame of the so-called "nucleation" model. This currently accepted model is supported, in particular, by the determination of abundance ratios in the giant planets. The exo-giant planets (EGPs) recently discovered are, in many cases, very close to their parent stars, which implies very different formation processes, still to be understood. At stellar distances typically larger than 0.2 AU, their upper atmospheres are expected to be dominated by H2O, CH4 and NH3; N2 should dominate over NH3 below 0.2 AU, and CO should prevail over CH4 below 0.06 AU. Earth-type exoplanets could exhibit a large variety of spectral shapes and features, as illustrated by the different spectra of the terrestrial planets.
- Publication:
-
Stellar Structure and Habitable Planet Finding
- Pub Date:
- January 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002ESASP.485..129E
- Keywords:
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- Solar System Planets;
- Planets: Exoplanets