29th Annual Student Research Conference
Toy Model for a Tidally Locked Habitable Planet
Charlyn E. Ortmann* and Colby B. Cook
Dr. Vayujeet Gokhale, Faculty Mentor
In this talk, we describe the differences in the evolutionary tracks of tidally locked planets around M-dwarf stars, with and without life. It is known, for example, that the presence of life has a self-regulating effect on maintaining habitable conditions on Earth. This self-regulation is a result of positive and negative feedback loops involving biotic and abiotic elements. We discuss the effects of these feedback loops by using a toy model based on the "Daisyworld Model" proposed by James Lovelock. In particular, we attempt to show that the introduction of life on a tidally locked planet can help equilibrate and regulate the temperature across its surface and render it more hospitable for future generations.
Keywords: Exoplanets, Habitable Zones, M-Dwarfs, Feedback Loops
Topic(s):Astrobiology
Astronomy
Physics-Astronomy
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: -2
Location: MG 1096
Time: 2:45