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Rocky Planet Rotation, Thermal Tide Resonances, and the Influence of Biological Activity
Caleb Scharf1,2
11 Columbia Astrobiology Center , New York, New York.
Astrobiology
|September 12, 2018
Summary
Atmospheric thermal tides can stall planetary rotation, especially for Earth-like planets. Biospheres, through oxygenation, may also influence planetary rotation, leaving an astronomical imprint.
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Astrophysics
- Astrobiology
Background:
- Theoretical models show atmospheric thermal tides significantly modify planetary rotation.
- Gravitational tidal evolution is the standard model for rocky planet rotation.
- Resonant conditions can amplify tidal effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if thermal tide resonances can stall rotational evolution in Earth-analog planets.
- To explore potential feedback between planetary biospheres and rotational evolution.
- To identify biological imprints on astronomically observable planetary characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of atmospheric thermal tides.
- Analysis of resonant conditions for planetary rotation.
- Examination of biosphere-planet rotation feedback mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Thermal tide resonances can halt the dissipative gravitational tidal evolution of rocky planets.
- This stalling effect is significant for Earth-analog worlds near stars more massive than the Sun.
- Planetary oxygenation and ozone production may influence rotational evolution.
Conclusions:
- Atmospheric thermal tides offer an alternative mechanism to gravitational tides for modifying planetary rotation.
- Biospheric activity, specifically oxygenation, can leave detectable imprints on planetary rotation.
- This highlights a novel link between astrobiology and planetary dynamics.
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