The influence of stellar flare on dynamical state of the atmosphere of exoplanet HD 209458b

TL;DR

This study models how stellar flares impact the upper atmosphere of exoplanet HD 209458b, revealing shock wave formation due to flare-induced heating, with implications for observational detection.

Contribution

It introduces a one-dimensional aeronomic model to analyze the atmospheric response of HD 209458b to stellar flare heating, highlighting shock wave development.

Findings

Stellar flares cause local heating and shock wave formation in the exoplanet's atmosphere.

Shock waves propagate through the atmosphere following flare-induced heating.

Potential observational signatures of shocks are discussed.

Abstract

By applying an one-dimensional aeronomic model of the upper atmosphere of the close-in giant planet HD 209458b, we study the reaction of the planetary atmosphere to an additional heating caused by the influence of a stellar flare. It is shown that the absorption of additional energy of the stellar flare in the extreme ultraviolet leads to local atmospheric heating, accompanied by formation of two shock waves, propagating in the atmosphere. We discuss possible observational manifestations of the shocks and feasibility of their detection.