Seminar: Into the abyss - How the deep atmosphere influences the 3D atmospheres of extrasolar hot Jupiters
Exoplanet atmosphere studies are becoming more detailed with advances in models and observational facilities and methods. One particular aspect in exoplanet atmosphere science is becoming more and more important with more detailed data: the connection between the (3D) atmosphere of extrasolar planets and their interior.
Here, the optically thick atmosphere ( 1000 bar > p >1 bar) provides a boundary layer between interior processes and the observable atmosphere: Temperature and heat sources, composition, deep winds, magnetic field coupling ... all of these can shape the flow, temperature structure and chemistry in higher parts of the exoplanet atmospheres. But also the other way around may be important: If energy is transported downward it may 'inflate' the planet - which may be a solution to a riddle that has plagued the exoplanet community since 1995.