Research Project C. Dorn and P. Tackley

We will map out the possible evolution paths of super-Earths. Especially, we will quantify how planetary radii, atmospheric compositions, and surface conditions change over time. Whether water oceans can form and be sustained over long time periods is crucial for the potential of a planet to harbour life.

Abstract

There is a hunger for knowing whether we are alone in the Universe. This curiosity drives the exoplanet community to characterise planets outside the Solar system in order to get a picture of other worlds. As pioneers in exoplanet interiors and geodynamics, our goal with this proposal is to explore the evolution of super-Earths, especially how their radii and atmospheric compositions change over time. We will use next-generation interior models that account for deep volatile reservoirs linked with well-established planetary evolution codes. This project is very timely in the era of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which allows the probing of super-Earth atmospheres.

Team

• Prof. Caroline Dorn (D-PHYS), Principal Investigator
• Prof. Paul Tackley (D-EAPS), Co-Investigator
• external page Marilina Valatsou (D-PHYS), from December 2023 on