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Atmospheric circulation and tides of ``51 Pegasus b-like'' planets

A. Showman,T. Guillot

Published 2002 in Astronomy and Astrophysics

ABSTRACT

We examine the properties of the atmospheres of extrasolar giant planets at orbital distances smaller than 0.1 AU from their stars. We show that these \51 Peg b-like" planets are rapidly synchronized by tidal in- teractions, but that small departures from synchronous rotation can occur because of fluid-dynamical torques within these planets. Previous radiative-transfer and evolution models of such planets assume a homogeneous atmosphere. Nevertheless, we show using simple arguments that, at the photosphere, the day-night temperature dierence and characteristic wind speeds may reach500 K, and 2k m s 1 , respectively. Substantial departures from chemical equilibrium are expected. The cloud coverage depends sensitively on the dynamics; clouds could exist predominantly either on the dayside or nightside, depending on the circulation regime. Radiative-transfer models that assume homogeneous conditions are therefore inadequate in describing the atmospheric properties of 51 Peg b-like planets. We present preliminary three-dimensional, nonlinear simulations of the atmospheric cir- culation of HD 209458b that indicate plausible patterns for the circulation and generally agree with our simpler estimates. Furthermore, we show that kinetic energy production in the atmosphere can lead to the deposition of substantial energy in the interior, with crucial consequences for the evolution of these planets. Future measure- ments of reflected and thermally-emitted radiation from these planets will help test our ideas.

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