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Radius Valley

All articles tagged with #radius valley

astronomy1 year ago•5 min saved

"Unraveling the Mystery of Exoplanet Size Distribution Through Migration"

Scientists have discovered that the absence of super-Earths and mini-Neptunes in space may be due to planetary migration, with some planets moving toward the hearts of their planetary systems early in their lives. This migration could explain the scarcity of planets between 1.6 and 2.2 times the size of Earth, known as the "radius valley." Research suggests that mini-Neptunes migrating inward develop thick water atmospheres, increasing their radii, while super-Earths lose their atmospheres due to intense radiation, causing them to shrink. These findings could have implications for exoplanet science and the potential existence of water worlds with deep oceans.

via Space.com|

#astronomy #exoplanets #mini-neptunes

astronomy1 year ago•6 min saved

"Unveiling the Mystery of Missing Exoplanets: Simulated Origins and Migrations"

Simulations suggest that the mysterious gap in the size distribution of super-Earths, known as the radius valley, may be explained by the migration of icy planets into the interior of planetary systems, forming thick water vapor atmospheres and making them appear larger, while smaller rocky planets lose their atmospheres, causing their measured radius to shrink. These findings, based on physical computer models, shed light on the formation and composition of planetary systems and could have implications for the search for potentially habitable exoplanets. Further observations with telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope and the Extremely Large Telescope could provide a test for these simulations.

via Phys.org|

#astronomy #exoplanets #planetary-migration