We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
THE HABITABILITY OF SUPER-EARTHS.
- Authors
von Bloh, W.; Bounama, C.; Cuntz, M.; Franck, S.
- Abstract
The unexpected diversity of exoplanets includes a growing number of super Earth-planets, i.e. exoplanets with masses smaller than 10 Earth masses and a similar chemical and mineralogical composition like Earth. We present a thermal evolution model for a super-Earth to calculate the sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The photosynthesis-sustaining habitable zone (pHZ) is determined by the limits of biological productivity on the planetary surface. We applythe model to calculate the habitability of super-Earths in Gliese 581. The super-Earth Gl 581c is clearly outside the pHZ while Gl 581d at the outer edge of the pHZ could at least harbor some primitive life forms.
- Subjects
HABITABLE planets; EXTRASOLAR planets; MINERALOGY; ATMOSPHERIC carbon dioxide; ASTROBIOLOGY; BIOLOGICAL productivity; ASTRONOMY; PLANETARY systems; EARTH (Planet)
- Publication
EAS Publications Series, 2008, Vol 33, p275
- ISSN
1633-4760
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1051/eas:0833039