SubsidieMeestersDIVerse 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.
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:
- Class I planets: H2/He-dominated (reduced) atmospheres of primordial origin.
- 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 planets' interior redox states. Furthermore, 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.
The DIVERSE Project
DIVERSE will build strong predictive theoretical models, linking the interior evolution including core formation with atmospheric abundance and erosion models, including the observability potential, to 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
| Startdatum | 1-6-2023 |
| Einddatum | 31-5-2028 |
| Subsidiejaar | 2023 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- FREIE UNIVERSITAET BERLINpenvoerder
Land(en)
Vergelijkbare projecten binnen European Research Council
| Project | Regeling | Bedrag | Jaar | Actie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Early Earth, Mars and Venus as Exoplanets (EASE)This project aims to model the atmospheric evolution of Earth, Venus, and Mars to enhance understanding of exoplanet habitability using JWST data and advanced numerical simulations. | ERC Consolid... | € 1.985.871 | 2024 | Details |
REVEALing Signatures of Habitable Worlds Hidden by Stellar ActivityREVEAL unites experts to tackle stellar variability, enhancing exoplanet detection and atmospheric analysis, ultimately aiming to identify Earth-like planets and potential signs of life. | ERC Synergy ... | € 6.831.455 | 2024 | Details |
Atmospheric tracing of Earth's evolutionProject 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. | ERC Starting... | € 2.499.125 | 2023 | Details |
Next-Generation of Interior models of (Exo)planets:Studying the interior structure of giant planets and its effect on their evolution, atmospheres and observationsN-GINE aims to revolutionize exoplanet studies by integrating new insights from solar system giants' non-homogeneous interiors with advanced models and JWST data to enhance understanding of atmospheric compositions. | ERC Consolid... | € 1.998.802 | 2023 | Details |
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.
Early Earth, Mars and Venus as Exoplanets (EASE)
This project aims to model the atmospheric evolution of Earth, Venus, and Mars to enhance understanding of exoplanet habitability using JWST data and advanced numerical simulations.
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.
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.
Next-Generation of Interior models of (Exo)planets:Studying the interior structure of giant planets and its effect on their evolution, atmospheres and observations
N-GINE aims to revolutionize exoplanet studies by integrating new insights from solar system giants' non-homogeneous interiors with advanced models and JWST data to enhance understanding of atmospheric compositions.