Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Abstract: With the explosion of exoplanetary discoveries, the question of planetary habitability is at the forefront, and generates many interesting and complex questions.One of those questions: Are planetary global magnetic fields necessary for the development of complex surface organics and the development of life?Does a global field protect planetary atmospheres?What detection signatures can be gleaned from a planet or moon with a global field as opposed to one without?We have a wealth of in situ magnetospheric data from Earth, as well as solar system planets and their moons from several vital satellite missions, such as the Voyager missions, the Pioneer missions, Galileo, Cassini, Messenger, MAVEN, and New Horizons.Due to the distances involved, it is not tenable to send satellites to obtain data at exoplanetary bodies, so we rely on simulations and using solar system data as analog environments to help set ground truth validation for the numerical work.In this dissertation, I use a multifluid plasma model for gas giant magnetospheres to predict the potential dynamical consequences and detection signatures for giant exoplanets in a warm orbit (∼0.2 AU).I discuss the dynamics of plasma loss from an exomoon injected torus, and how the total mass flux out of the system is altered by increased stellar wind forcing as a function of orbital semi-major axis.Detection signatures for such a planet, including transit depth modifications due to plasma densities and radio emissions, show promise for further detecting and characterizing future systems.I also improve the multifluid model by implementing a full treatment of pressure anisotropy at Saturn, with a focus on The work during my last 5.5 years would not have been achieved without support from some amazing people.My advisor, Erika Harnett, has provided guidance and encouragement that has been invaluable to my development as a scientist.My committee members, Robert Winglee, Victoria Meadows, and Michael McCarthy have likewise contributed their time and patience to help guide me towards a broader scientific outlook.Numerous students from both the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, as well as the Astrobiology Program are owed a thanks for their supportive conversations -both professional and personal.I would like to also acknowledge my parents, Glenda
Author: Matthew Tilley Tilley
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2921124617