[en] We consider several possible atmospheric compositions for our nearest neighboring planet, a.k.a. Proxima Can b, and compute the infrared spectrum with modern planetary atmosphere models. To be specific, we consider (1) a bare planet, which has lost its atmosphere; (2) a water-ocean planet; (3) an Earth-analog planet; and (4) a planet similar to Earth but with a lower O2 pressure (< 1mbar) that produces a false positive for the triple signature (H20, O3, and CO2). We discuss the information in each infrared spectrum and the possibility to identify the nature of the atmospheres by remote sensing. The same exercise is performed for a rocky planet in the habitable zone of a K2V star, such as epsilon Eri.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Defrere, Denis ; Université de Liège > Département d'astrophys., géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Astroph. extragalactique et observations spatiales (AEOS)
Leger, A.
Grenfell, J.l.
Godolt, M
Garcia Munoz
Rauer, H
Tian, X.
Language :
English
Title :
Proxima Cen b: theoretical spectral signatures for different atmospheric scenarios