Galactic cosmic ray propagation through M dwarf planetary systems

TL;DR

This study models Galactic cosmic ray propagation through stellar winds of nearby M dwarfs to assess their impact on exoplanet habitability, revealing significant variability in cosmic ray fluxes at habitable zones.

Contribution

It combines 1D MHD stellar wind and cosmic ray transport models to quantify cosmic ray fluxes at exoplanets around M dwarfs, a novel approach in this context.

Findings

GJ 411 and GJ 887 have cosmic ray fluxes similar to Earth.

Most exoplanets in the sample receive lower cosmic ray fluxes than Earth.

GJ 273 b experiences a significant surface radiation dose from cosmic rays.

Abstract

Quantifying the flux of cosmic rays reaching exoplanets around M dwarfs is essential to understand their possible effects on exoplanet habitability. Here, we investigate the propagation of Galactic cosmic rays as they travel through the stellar winds (astrospheres) of five nearby M dwarfs, namely: GJ 15A, GJ 273, GJ 338B, GJ 411 and GJ 887. Our selected stars each have 1 or 2 detected exoplanets and they all have wind mass-loss rates constrained by Lyman-alpha observations. Our simulations use a combined 1D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Alfv\'en-wave-driven stellar wind model and 1D cosmic ray transport model. We find that GJ 411 and GJ 887 have Galactic cosmic rays fluxes comparable with Earth's at their habitable zones. On the other hand, GJ 15A, GJ 273 and GJ 338B receive a lower Galactic cosmic ray flux in their habitable zones. All exoplanets in our sample, with exception of GJ 15A c and GJ 411 c, have a significantly lower flux of Galactic cosmic rays than values observed at the Earth because they orbit closer-in. The fluxes found here can be further used for chemical modelling of planetary atmospheres. Finally, we calculate the radiation dose at the surface of the habitable-zone planet GJ 273 b, assuming it has an Earth-like atmosphere. This planet receives up to 209 times less 15 MeV energy cosmic ray fluxes than values observed at Earth. However, for high-energy cosmic rays (~ GeV), the difference in flux is only 2.3 times smaller, which contributes to GJ 273 b receiving a significant surface radiation dose of 0.13 mSv/yr (40% of the annual dose on Earth's surface).