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The influence of galactic cosmic rays on ion-neutral hydrocarbon chemistry in the upper atmospheres of free-floating exoplanets

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Rimmer_2014_IJA_TheInfluence.pdf (227.2Kb)
Date
01/04/2014
Author
Rimmer, P.B.
Helling, C.
Bilger, C.
Funder
Science & Technology Facilities Council
Science & Technology Facilities Council
Grant ID
ST/K001515/1
ST/J001651/1
Keywords
Astrochemistry
Atmospheres
Atmospheric effects
Cosmic rays
Planets and satellites
QB Astronomy
QC Physics
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Abstract
Cosmic rays may be linked to the formation of volatiles necessary for prebiotic chemistry. We explore the effect of cosmic rays in a hydrogen-dominated atmosphere, as a proof-of-concept that ion–neutral chemistry may be important for modelling hydrogen-dominated atmospheres. In order to accomplish this, we utilize Monte Carlo cosmic ray transport models with particle energies of 106 eV<E<1012 eV in order to investigate the cosmic-ray enhancement of free electrons in substellar atmospheres. Ion–neutral chemistry is then applied to a Drift–Phoenix model of a free-floating giant gas planet. Our results suggest that the activation of ion–neutral chemistry in the upper atmosphere significantly enhances formation rates for various species, and we find that C2H2, C2H4, NH3, C6H6 and possibly C10H are enhanced in the upper atmospheres because of cosmic rays. Our results suggest a potential connection between cosmic-ray chemistry and the hazes observed in the upper atmospheres of various extrasolar planets. Chemi-ionization reactions are briefly discussed, as they may enhance the degree of ionization in the cloud layer.
Citation
Rimmer , P B , Helling , C & Bilger , C 2014 , ' The influence of galactic cosmic rays on ion-neutral hydrocarbon chemistry in the upper atmospheres of free-floating exoplanets ' , International Journal of Astrobiology , vol. 13 , no. 2 , pp. 173-181 . https://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550413000487
Publication
International Journal of Astrobiology
Status
Peer reviewed
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550413000487
ISSN
1473-5504
Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014
Description
The authors highlight financial support of the European Community under the FP7 by an ERC starting grant.
Collections
  • University of St Andrews Research
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/10023/6417

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