Atmospheric circulation of brown dwarfs and directly imaged giant planets

University Of Arizona, Tucson AZ

Investigators

Abstract

This is a theoretical project to calculate three-dimensional models of brown dwarf interiors and atmospheres, where rotation and convection are included, as well as the interaction between the interior and overlying stratified atmosphere. The model will address observational data which are consistent with the presence of clouds, chemical disequilibrium, and temporal variability. The research will predict infrared spectra, lightcurves and vertical mixing rates for comparison with observations, including directly imaged giant extrasolar planets. Broader impacts include training a graduate student for his or her Ph.D., incorporating the numerical code in the graduate and undergraduate courses that the PI teaches, and dissemination of the results to the scientific community and general public.