Predictions on the core mass of Jupiter and of giant planets in general

TL;DR

This paper reviews predictions of Jupiter's core and envelope metallicity masses based on various equations of state, highlighting uncertainties in the pressure regime affecting interior structure models and comparing them with exoplanet data.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of how different equations of state influence core mass predictions and compares Jupiter models with exoplanet GJ436b models based on gravitational and tidal data.

Findings

Uncertainty in the H/He EOS causes broad core mass estimates for Jupiter.

Jupiter's core mass range is 0-18 Earth masses, envelope metals 0-38 Earth masses.

Comparison with GJ436b models shows similar modeling challenges.

Abstract

More than 80 giant planets are known by mass and radius. Their interior structure in terms of core mass, number of layers, and composition however is still poorly known. An overview is presented about the core mass Mcore and envelope mass of metals MZ in Jupiter as predicted by various equations of state. It is argued that the uncertainty about the true H/He EOS in a pressure regime where the gravitational moments J2 and J4 are most sensitive, i.e. between 0.5 and 4 Mbar, is in part responsible for the broad range Mcore=0-18 Mearth, MZ=0-38 Mearth, and Mcore+MZ=14-38 Mearth currently offered for Jupiter. We then compare the Jupiter models obtained when we only match J2 with the range of solutions for the exoplanet GJ436b, when we match an assumed tidal Love number k2 value.