The Influences of Stellar Activity on Planetary Atmospheres

Author(s)
Colin Johnstone
Abstract

On evolutionary timescales, the atmospheres of planets evolve due to interactions with the planet's surface and with the planet's host star. Stellar X-ray and EUV (='XUV') radiation is absorbed high in the atmosphere, driving photochemistry, heating the gas, and causing atmospheric expansion and mass loss. Atmospheres can interact strongly with the stellar winds, leading to additional mass loss. In this review, I summarise some of the ways in which stellar output can influence the atmospheres of planets. I will discuss the importance of simultaneously understanding the evolution of the star's output and the time dependent properties of the planet's atmosphere.

Organisation(s)
Department of Astrophysics
Volume
12
Pages
168 - 179
No. of pages
12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743921317003775
Publication date
2016
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/the-influences-of-stellar-activity-on-planetary-atmospheres(21367b4d-2abc-47dd-85e8-8aef37e73b3d).html