Gliese 581g as a scaled-up version of Earth: atmospheric circulation simulations

TL;DR

This study uses 3D atmospheric simulations to explore climate and habitability factors on Gliese 581g, an Earth-sized exoplanet, emphasizing the role of planetary parameters and rotation in climate modeling.

Contribution

It demonstrates the application of general circulation models to assess atmospheric circulation and habitability on Earth-sized exoplanets like Gliese 581g.

Findings

Climate depends on tidal locking and radiative cooling rates.

Simulations show potential habitability zones based on planetary rotation.

Highlights importance of GCMs for future exoplanet habitability studies.

Abstract

We use three-dimensional simulations to study the atmospheric circulation on the first Earth-sized exoplanet discovered in the habitable zone of an M star. We treat Gliese 581g as a scaled-up version of Earth by considering increased values for the exoplanetary radius and surface gravity, while retaining terrestrial values for parameters which are unconstrained by current observations. We examine the long-term, global temperature and wind maps near the surface of the exoplanet --- the climate. The specific locations for habitability on Gliese 581g depend on whether the exoplanet is tidally-locked and how fast radiative cooling occurs on a global scale. Independent of whether the existence of Gliese 581g is confirmed, our study highlights the use of general circulation models to quantify the atmospheric circulation on potentially habitable, Earth-sized exoplanets, which will be the prime targets of exoplanet discovery and characterization campaigns in the next decade.