학술논문
Exoplanet Science Priorities from the Perspective of Internal and Surface Processes for Silicate and Ice Dominated Worlds
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article
Author
Henning, Wade G; Renaud, Joseph P; Mandell, Avi M; Saxena, Prabal; Hurford, Terry A; Matsumura, Soko; Glaze, Lori S; Livengood, Timothy A; Airapetian, Vladimir; Asphaug, Erik; Teske, Johanna K; Schwieterman, Edward; Efroimsky, Michael; Makarov, Valeri V; Berghea, Ciprian T; Bleacher, Jacob; Rushby, Andrew; Lee, Yuni; Kuang, Weijia; Barnes, Rory; Dong, Chuanfei; Driscoll, Peter; Domagal-Goldman, Shawn D; Schmerr, Nicholas C; Genio, Anthony D Del; Jensen, Adam G; Kaltenegger, Lisa; Elkins-Tanton, Linda; Shock, Everett L; Sohl, Linda E; Quintana, Elisa; Schaefer, Laura; Barclay, Thomas S; Fujii, Yuka; Hamano, Keiko; Petro, Noah E; Lopez, Eric D; Sasselov, Dimitar D
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Subject
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Abstract
The geophysics of extrasolar planets is a scientific topic often regarded asstanding largely beyond the reach of near-term observations. This reality in noway diminishes the central role of geophysical phenomena in shaping planetaryoutcomes, from formation, to thermal and chemical evolution, to numerous issuesof surface and near-surface habitability. We emphasize that for a balancedunderstanding of extrasolar planets, it is important to look beyond the naturalbiases of current observing tools, and actively seek unique pathways tounderstand exoplanet interiors as best as possible during the long interimprior to a time when internal components are more directly accessible. Suchpathways include but are not limited to: (a) enhanced theoretical and numericalmodeling, (b) laboratory research on critical material properties, (c)measurement of geophysical properties by indirect inference from imprints lefton atmospheric and orbital properties, and (d) the purpose-driven use of SolarSystem object exploration expressly for its value in comparative planetologytoward exoplanet-analogs. Breaking down barriers that envision local SolarSystem exploration, including the study of Earth's own deep interior, asseparate from and in financial competition with extrasolar planet research, maygreatly improve the rate of needed scientific progress for exoplanetgeophysics. As the number of known rocky and icy exoplanets grows in the yearsahead, we expect demand for expertise in 'exogeoscience' will expand at acommensurately intense pace. We highlight key topics, including: how wateroceans below ice shells may dominate the total habitability of our galaxy byvolume, how free-floating nomad planets may often attain habitable subsurfaceoceans supported by radionuclide decay, and how deep interiors may criticallyinteract with atmospheric mass loss via dynamo-driven magnetic fields.