The Hottest Hot Jupiters May Host Atmospheric Dynamos

Hot Jupiters have proven themselves to be a rich class of exoplanets that test our theories of planetary evolution and atmospheric dynamics under extreme conditions. Here, we present three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations and analytic results that demonstrate that a dynamo can be maintain...

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Veröffentlicht in:Astrophysical journal. Letters 2017-06, Vol.841 (2), p.L26
Hauptverfasser: Rogers, T. M., McElwaine, J. N.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:Hot Jupiters have proven themselves to be a rich class of exoplanets that test our theories of planetary evolution and atmospheric dynamics under extreme conditions. Here, we present three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations and analytic results that demonstrate that a dynamo can be maintained in the thin, stably stratified atmosphere of a hot Jupiter, independent of the presumed deep-seated dynamo. This dynamo is maintained by conductivity variations arising from strong asymmetric heating from the planets' host star. The presence of a dynamo significantly increases the surface magnetic field strength and alters the overall planetary magnetic field geometry, possibly affecting star-planet magnetic interactions.
ISSN:2041-8205
2041-8213
DOI:10.3847/2041-8213/aa72da