Induction heating of planetary interiors
- Author(s)
- Kristina Kislyakova, L. Noack, Colin Johnstone, Manuel Güdel
- Abstract
We present a calculation of the energy release in planetary interiors caused by induction heating. If an exoplanet orbits a host star with a strong magnetic field, it will be embedded in periodically varying magnetic environment. In our work, we consider only a dipole field of the host star and assume the dipole axis to be inclined with respect to the stellar rotational axis, which causes the magnetic field to vary. In this case, the varying magnetic field surrounding the planet will generate induction currents inside the planetary mantle, which will dissipate in the planetary interiors. We show that this energy release can be very substantial and in some cases even lead to complete melting of the planetary mantle over geological timescales, accompanied by the enhanced magnetic activity.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Astrophysics
- External organisation(s)
- Royal Observatory of Belgium
- Publication date
- 09-2017
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 103004 Astrophysics, 103003 Astronomy
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/8835342a-e897-413c-938a-0886dec17282