Plasma physics and planetary astrophysics
Abstract
In this review, I briefly summarize the present status of experimental and theoretical investigations of the properties of matter under conditions characteristic of planetary interiors, from terrestrial to jovian planets. I first focus on the two lightest elements, hydrogen and helium, and discuss recent theoretical and experimental investigations of their properties at high pressure and temperature. Then, I discuss the impact of these properties, as well as of the equation of state of heavier elements, on planetary interiors. Finally, I highlight the importance of exoplanet transit observations and of the inferred mass-radius relationships to determine the planetary interior compositions.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0912.2968,
title = {Plasma physics and planetary astrophysics},
author = {Gilles Chabrier},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0912.2968},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
Invited review, 36th European Physical Society Conference on Plasma Physics, Sofia, June 2009