Tag

Photoevaporation

All articles tagged with #photoevaporation

space2 years ago•4 min saved

Unraveling the Enigma of Shrinking Exoplanets: Insights from Kepler and Retired NASA Telescope

Data from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope suggests that the absence of exoplanets between 1.5 and two times the size of Earth may be due to core-powered mass loss. Scientists have found evidence that the cores of sub-Neptune exoplanets push away their atmospheres from the inside out, causing the exoplanets to shrink. This phenomenon occurs when radiation emitted by the planet's hot core interacts with the atmosphere, causing it to fade away slowly. The study used data from the Kepler Space Telescope's extended mission, K2, and found that core-powered mass loss is the leading explanation for atmospheric loss in sub-Neptunes. Further research is needed to fully understand this process.

via NASASpaceflight.com|

#atmospheric-loss #core-powered-mass-loss #exoplanets

space-science2 years ago•5 min saved

Unraveling the Mystery: NASA's Discovery of Shrinking Exoplanets

Researchers using data from the Kepler Space Telescope have discovered that some exoplanets are shrinking due to the loss of their atmospheres, likely caused by radiation from their cores. This finding helps explain the observed size gap in exoplanets and suggests a significant atmospheric loss process different from previously theorized photoevaporation. The study provides evidence supporting the theory of core-powered mass loss, where radiation emitted from a planet's hot core pushes the atmosphere away over time. The research also highlights the ongoing mystery of the missing exoplanets between super-Earths and sub-Neptunes and the need for further investigation.

via SciTechDaily|

#atmospheric-loss #core-powered-mass-loss #exoplanets

space2 years ago•4 min saved

Unveiling the Mystery: NASA Data Sheds Light on Exoplanet Shrinkage

A new study using NASA's Kepler Space Telescope suggests that some exoplanets are losing their atmospheres and shrinking due to core-powered mass loss. The study focuses on the "size gap" between super-Earths and sub-Neptunes and provides evidence that the cores of these planets are pushing away their atmospheres from the inside out. The researchers observed star clusters Praesepe and Hyades and found that nearly 100% of stars in these clusters still have sub-Neptune planets or planet candidates, indicating that core-powered mass loss is the most likely explanation for the shrinking of these planets. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind this phenomenon.

via Phys.org|

#core-powered-mass-loss #exoplanets #kepler-space-telescope