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Updated: May 27, 2026

Surface Mapping of Earth-like Exoplanets using Single Point Light Curves
Published on: May 10, 2020
Development of a model to compute the extension of life supporting zones for Earth-like exoplanets
David Neubauer1, Aron Vrtala, Johannes J Leitner
1Research Platform: ExoLife, University of Vienna, Türkenschanzstrasse 17, 1180, Vienna, Austria. d.neubauer@univie.ac.at
Abstract:
A radiative convective model to calculate the width and the location of the life supporting zone (LSZ) for different, alternative solvents (i.e. other than water) is presented. This model can be applied to the atmospheres of the terrestrial planets in the solar system as well as (hypothetical, Earth-like) terrestrial exoplanets. Cloud droplet formation and growth are investigated using a cloud parcel model. Clouds can be incorporated into the radiative transfer calculations. Test runs for Earth, Mars and Titan show a good agreement of model results with observations.
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