DIVerse Exoplanet Redox State Estimations

DIVERSE aims to model and characterize exoplanetary atmospheres to identify redox states influencing habitability, using JWST and ARIEL to enhance our understanding of planetary evolution pathways.

Subsidie
€ 1.993.270
2023

Projectdetails

Introduction

New observational capabilities with the JWST and ARIEL space telescopes will strongly advance our ability to characterize exoplanetary atmospheres. While the community focuses mainly on biosignatures, in DIVERSE I will search for signatures of geophysical factors that influence habitability, specifically the diversity of planetary redox states. The redox state is of major importance for habitability, since reducing conditions favor prebiotic chemistry for life as we know it.

Classification of Atmospheres

Atmospheres of rocky planets are typically divided into two distinct classes:

  1. Class I planets: H2/He-dominated (reduced) atmospheres of primordial origin.
  2. Class II planets: Secondary (more oxidized) atmospheres of volcanic origin.

In the Solar System, observations are limited to old, evolved atmospheres that became oxidized over time and do not allow us to directly constrain the planet's interior redox states. Furthermore, the detection of reduced species such as CO or CH4 does not unambiguously link back to the interior redox state.

Class X Planets

In contrast, if we were able to detect H2-dominated atmospheres lacking He, here called Class X planets, the most likely explanation would be strongly reduced degassing from the magma ocean or subsequent volcanism. Distinguishing Class I and X planets would truly allow us to constrain the planetary redox state and indicate how it depends on observables such as stellar composition or planetary mass.

Estimates on the distribution and observability of Class X planets are yet missing but have recently become possible.

Predictive Models

DIVERSE will build strong predictive theoretical models, linking the interior evolution, including core formation, with atmospheric abundance and erosion models, including the observability potential. This will help determine the diverse evolution pathways of reducing atmospheres of primary, secondary, or hybrid origin.

I will thus address whether (and for which planet classes) the atmosphere could indeed serve as a window into the interior.

Financiële details & Tijdlijn

Financiële details

Subsidiebedrag€ 1.993.270
Totale projectbegroting€ 1.993.270

Tijdlijn

Startdatum1-6-2023
Einddatum31-5-2028
Subsidiejaar2023

Partners & Locaties

Projectpartners

  • FREIE UNIVERSITAET BERLINpenvoerder

Land(en)

Germany

Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council

ERC STG

MANUNKIND: Determinants and Dynamics of Collaborative Exploitation

This project aims to develop a game theoretic framework to analyze the psychological and strategic dynamics of collaborative exploitation, informing policies to combat modern slavery.

€ 1.497.749
ERC STG

Elucidating the phenotypic convergence of proliferation reduction under growth-induced pressure

The UnderPressure project aims to investigate how mechanical constraints from 3D crowding affect cell proliferation and signaling in various organisms, with potential applications in reducing cancer chemoresistance.

€ 1.498.280
ERC STG

Uncovering the mechanisms of action of an antiviral bacterium

This project aims to uncover the mechanisms behind Wolbachia's antiviral protection in insects and develop tools for studying symbiont gene function.

€ 1.500.000
ERC STG

The Ethics of Loneliness and Sociability

This project aims to develop a normative theory of loneliness by analyzing ethical responsibilities of individuals and societies to prevent and alleviate loneliness, establishing a new philosophical sub-field.

€ 1.025.860

Vergelijkbare projecten uit andere regelingen

ERC STG

Atmospheric tracing of Earth's evolution

Project ATTRACTE aims to enhance understanding of Earth's atmospheric evolution by analyzing paleo-atmospheric gases and integrating data into models for insights on habitability and exoplanetary geology.

€ 2.499.125
ERC ADG

Habitability of Exo-Earths in various atmospheric oxidative conditions

The project aims to investigate the formation and evolution of atmospheric organic aerosols in humid exoplanetary atmospheres to assess their impact on climate and prebiotic chemistry for habitability.

€ 2.412.601
ERC SyG

REVEALing Signatures of Habitable Worlds Hidden by Stellar Activity

REVEAL unites experts to tackle stellar variability, enhancing exoplanet detection and atmospheric analysis, ultimately aiming to identify Earth-like planets and potential signs of life.

€ 6.831.455
ERC STG

Volatile evolution on terrestrial planets

This project aims to develop innovative analytical methods for measuring non-radiogenic krypton and xenon isotopes to trace volatile sources and recycling processes in terrestrial planets.

€ 2.382.203