Synthetic Evolution Tracks of Giant Planets

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new Python tool, planetsynth, that rapidly generates synthetic evolution tracks for giant planets, aiding interpretation of observations and understanding of planetary formation.

Contribution

The authors provide a comprehensive suite of giant planet evolution models and a Python program for quick interpolation of planetary cooling tracks based on key parameters.

Findings

Successfully inferred the mass and metallicity of 51 Eri b.

Demonstrated how atmospheric data constrains planetary composition.

Generated time-dependent mass-radius diagrams for giant planets.

Abstract

Giant planet evolution models play a crucial role in interpreting observations and constraining formation pathways. However, the simulations can be slow or prohibitively difficult. To address this issue, we calculate a large suite of giant planet evolution models using a state-of-the-art planetary evolution code. Using these data, we create the python program planetsynth that generates synthetic cooling tracks by interpolation. Given the planetary mass, bulk & atmospheric metallicity, and incident stellar irradiation, the program calculates how the planetary radius, luminosity, effective temperature, and surface gravity evolve with time. We demonstrate the capabilities of our models by inferring time-dependent mass-radius diagrams, estimating the metallicities from mass-radius measurements, and by showing how atmospheric measurements can further constrain the planetary bulk composition. We also estimate the mass and metallicity of the young giant planet 51 Eri b from its observed luminosity. Synthetic evolution tracks have many applications, and we suggest that they are valuable for both theoretical and observational investigations into the nature of giant planets.