New Worlds: Evaluating terrestrial planets as astrophysical objects
Abstract
Terrestrial exoplanets are on the verge of joining the ranks of astronomically accessible objects. Interpreting their observable characteristics, and informing decisions on instrument design and use, will hinge on the ability to model these planets successfully across a vast range of configurations and climate forcings. A hierarchical approach that addresses fundamental behaviors as well as more complex, specific, situations is crucial to this endeavor and is presented here. Incorporating Earth-centric knowledge, and continued cross-disciplinary work will be critical, but ultimately the astrophysical study of terrestrial exoplanets must be encouraged to develop as its own field.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0902.2755,
title = {New Worlds: Evaluating terrestrial planets as astrophysical objects},
author = {Caleb A. Scharf and David S. Spiegel and Mark Chandler and Linda Sohl and Anthony Del Genio and Michael Way and Nancy Kiang},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0902.2755},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
Submitted as a White Paper to the 2010 Astronomy & Astrophysics Decadal Survey