Abstract
We present a detailed three-dimensional radiative-hydrodynamical simulation of the wellknown irradiated exoplanet HD 189733b. Our model solves the fully compressible Navier- Stokes equations coupled to wavelength-dependent radiative transferthroughout the entire planetary envelope. We provide detailed comparisons between the extensive observations of this system and predictions calculated directly fromthe numerical models. The atmospheric dynamics is characterized by supersonic winds that fairly efficiently advect energy from the dayside to the nightside. Super-rotating equatorial jets form for a wide range of pressures from 10-5 to ~10 bars, while counter-rotating jets form at higher latitudes. The calculated transit spectrum agrees well with the data from the infrared to the ultraviolet(UV) including the strong Rayleigh scattering seen at short wavelength, though we slightly underpredict the observations at wavelengths shorter than ~0.6 μm. Our predicted emission spectrum agrees remarkably well at 5.8 and 8 μm, but slightly overpredicts the emission at 3.6 and 4.5 μm when compared to the latest analysis by Knutson et al. Our simulated Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) phase curves agree fairly well with the amplitudes of variations, shape, and phases of minimum and maximum flux. However, we overpredict the peak amplitude at 3.6 and 4.5 μm, and slightly underpredict the location of the phase curve maximum and minimum. These simulations include, for the first time in a multi-dimensional simulation, astrong Rayleigh scattering component to the absorption opacity, necessary to explain observations in the optical and UV. The agreement between our models and observations suggests that including the effects of condensates in simulations as the dominant form of opacity will be very important in future models.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3159-3168 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 435 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2013 |
Keywords
- Hydrodynamics
- Methods: Numerical
- Planets and satellites: Atmospheres
- Planets and satellites: Individual: HD 189733b
- radiative transfer
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science