Satellite observed thermospheric impact of solar flares and possible implications for the early Earth

Author(s)

Martin Pfleger, Sandro Krauss, Walter Hausleitner, Helmut Lammer, B. Fichtinger, Herbert I. M. Lichtenegger

Abstract

The evolution of planetary atmospheres depends sensitively on the

radiation and particle environment of the planet's hoststar. Atmospheric

escape rates are strongly related especially to the soft X-ray (SXR) and

extreme and far ultraviolett (EUV and FUV) parts of the solar spectrum.

By means of observational data from low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites

it is possible to study the response of the earths thermosphere on

enhanced EUV radiation events caused by solar flares. This enables one

to estimate exobase temperatures and thermospheric particle densities

under different radiation environments. So the flare events can be used

as proxies for early Earth studies and for Earth-like atmospheres of

potential exoplanets which are exposed to higher stellar EUV fluxes.

Organisation(s)

Department of Astrophysics

External organisation(s)

Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW)

Journal

Abstracts of the EPSC-DPS

Volume

8

Pages

721

Publication date

09-2013

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

103003 Astronomy

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