Bibcode
Carter-Bond, Jade C.; O'Brien, David P.; Delgado Mena, Elisa; Israelian, G.; Santos, Nuno C.; González-Hernández, J. I.
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, Volume 747, Issue 1, article id. L2 (2012).
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3
2012
Citations
42
Refereed citations
33
Description
Simulations have shown that a diverse range of extrasolar terrestrial
planet bulk compositions are likely to exist based on the observed
variations in host star elemental abundances. Based on recent studies,
it is expected that a significant proportion of host stars may have
Mg/Si ratios below 1. Here we examine this previously neglected group of
systems. Planets simulated as forming within these systems are found to
be Mg-depleted (compared to Earth), consisting of silicate species such
as pyroxene and various feldspars. Planetary carbon abundances also vary
in accordance with the host star C/O ratio. The predicted abundances are
in keeping with observations of polluted white dwarfs, lending validity
to this approach. Further studies are required to determine the full
planetary impacts of the bulk compositions predicted here.
Related projects
Observational Tests of the Processes of Nucleosynthesis in the Universe
Several spectroscopic analyses of stars with planets have recently been carried out. One of the most remarkable results is that planet-harbouring stars are on average more metal-rich than solar-type disc stars. Two main explanations have been suggested to link this metallicity excess with the presence of planets. The first of these, the “self
Garik
Israelian