The influence of a sub-stellar continent on the climate of a tidally-locked exoplanet
Mayne, NJ; Lewis, N; Lambert, FH; et al.Boutle, I; Manners, J; Acreman, D
Date: 26 February 2018
Journal
Astrophysical Journal
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that continental carbon-silicate weathering is important to the continued habitability of a terrestrial planet. Despite this, few studies have considered the influence of land on the climate of a
tidally-locked planet. In this work we use the Met Office Unified Model, coupled to a land surface model, ...
Previous studies have demonstrated that continental carbon-silicate weathering is important to the continued habitability of a terrestrial planet. Despite this, few studies have considered the influence of land on the climate of a
tidally-locked planet. In this work we use the Met Office Unified Model, coupled to a land surface model, to investigate the climate effects of a continent located at the sub-stellar point. We choose to use the orbital and planetary
parameters of Proxima Centauri B as a template, to allow comparison with the work of others. A region of the surface
where Ts > 273:15K is always retained, and previous conclusions on the habitability of Proxima Centauri B remain
intact. We find that sub-stellar land causes global cooling, and increases day-night temperature contrasts by limiting
heat redistribution. Furthermore, we find that sub-stellar land is able to introduce a regime change in the atmospheric
circulation. Specifically, when a continent offset to the east of the sub-stellar point is introduced, we observe the
formation of two mid-latitude counterrotating jets, and a substantially weakened equatorial superrotating jet.
Physics and Astronomy
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy
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