Modeling the Jovian subnebula

2007

A&A

Self Cite

We present an evolutionary turbulent model of the Saturn's subnebula consistent with recent core accretion formation models of Saturn. Our calculations are similar to those conducted in the case of the Jovian subnebula, and take into account the vertical structure of the disk, as well as the evolution of its surface density, as given by an α-disk model. Using the thermodynamic conditions of our model, we calculate the evolution of the CO 2 :CO:CH 4 and N 2 :NH 3 molar mixing ratios in the subnebula. We thus show that the carbon and nitrogen homogeneous gas-phase chemistry is inhibited in the subnebula. We also consider the role played by Fischer-Tropsch catalysis in the gas-phase conversions of CO and CO 2 into CH 4 . We demonstrate that, even if a catalytically active zone is likely to exist in the early Saturn's subnebula, it does not alter the composition of volatiles ultimately trapped in the forming solids. We study two different formation scenarios of Titan. In each scenario, we provide observational tests that are compared with measurements made by the Huygens probe. In the first scenario, Titan is formed in a late and cold subnebula from planetesimals produced in Saturn's feeding zone that have been preserved from vaporization. In the second scenario, Titan is formed in a balmy and early subnebula. We show that the first scenario predicts a CO:CH 4 molar mixing ratio orders of magnitude larger than the observed one in the atmosphere of Titan, and requires strong variations of water abundance in the solar nebula on short lengthscales, whose origin is not explained. On the contrary, the second scenario does not require such large variations of the abundance of water, and predicts abundances of volatile species in Titan similar to the observed ones.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Formation of Titan in Saturn's subnebula: constraints from Huygens probe measurements

Alibert¹,

2007

A&A

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“…The intersection of a thermodynamic path at a given distance from the star with the equilibrium curves of the different ices allows determination of the amount of volatiles that are condensed or trapped in clathrates at this location in the disk. The volatile, i, to water mass ratio in these planetesimals is determined by the relation (Mousis & Alibert 2006;Mousis & Gautier 2004):…”

Section: Planetesimal Volatile Compositionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Planetesimal Compositions in Exoplanet Systems

Johnson

Lunine

et al. 2012

ApJ

We have used recent surveys of the composition of exoplanet host stars to investigate the expected composition of condensed material in planetesimals formed beyond the snow line in the circumstellar nebulae of these systems. Of the major solid-forming elements, C and O abundances (and particularly the C/O abundance ratio) strongly affect the amounts of volatile ices and refractory phases in icy planetesimals formed in these systems. This results from these elements' effects on the partitioning of O among gas, refractory solid and ice phases in the final condensate. The calculations use a self-consistent model for the condensation sequence of volatile ices from the nebula gas after refractory (silicate and metal) phases have condensed. The resultant mass fractions (compared to the total condensate) of refractory phases and ices were calculated for a range of nebular temperature structures and redox conditions. Planetesimals in systems with sub-solar C/O should be water ice-rich, with lower than solar mass fractions of refractory materials, while in super-solar C/O systems planetesimals should have significantly higher mass fractions of refractories, in some cases having little or no water ice. C-bearing volatile ices and clathrates also become increasingly important with increasing C/O depending on the assumed nebular temperatures. These compositional variations in early condensates in the outer portions of the nebula will be significant for the equivalent of the Kuiper Belt in these systems, icy satellites of giant planets, and the enrichment (over stellar values) of volatiles and heavy elements in giant planet atmospheres.

“…Moreover, the enrichments of volatiles measured in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn (Owen et al 1999;Flasar et al 2005) have recently been interpreted as requiring an over-solar abundance of water in order to facilitate the trapping of volatiles as clathrate hydrates within the planetesimals produced in the outer nebula (Alibert et al 2005b;Mousis et al 2006). Such an increase in the water concentration inside the zone of giant planet formation is still poorly understood.…”

Section: Possible Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The photophoretic sweeping of dust in transient protoplanetary disks

Krauß¹,

Wurm²,

et al. 2006

A&A

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Context. Protoplanetary disks start their lives with a dust free inner region where the temperatures are higher than the sublimation temperature of solids. As the star illuminates the innermost particles, which are immersed in gas at the sublimation edge, these particles are subject to a photophoretic force. Aims. We examine the motion of dust particles at the inner edge of protoplanetary disks due to photophoretic drag. Methods. We give a detailed treatment of the photophoretic force for particles in protoplanetary disks. The force is applied to particles at the inner edge of a protoplanetary disk and the dynamical behavior of the particles is analyzed. Results. We find that, in a laminar disk, photophoretic drag increases the size of the inner hole after accretion onto the central body has become subdued. This region within the hole becomes an optically transparent zone containing gas and large dusty particles ( 10 cm), but devoid of, or strongly depleted in, smaller dust aggregates. Photophoresis can clear the inner disk of dust out to 10 AU in less than 1 Myr. The details of this clearance depend on the size distribution of the dust. Any replenishment of the dust within the cleared region will be continuously and rapidly swept out to the edge. At late times, the edge reaches a stable equilibrium between inward drift and photophoretic outward drift, at a distance of some tens of AU. Eventually, the edge will move inwards again as the disk disperses, shifting the equilibrium position back from about 40 AU to below 30 AU in 1-2 Myr in the disk model. In a turbulent disk, diffusion can delay the clearing of a disk by photophoresis. Smaller and/or age-independent holes of radii of a few AU are also possible outcomes of turbulent diffusion counteracting photophoresis. Conclusions. This outward and then inward moving edge marks a region of high dust concentration. This density enhancement, and the efficient transport of particles from close to the star to large distances away, can explain features of comets such as high measured ratios of crystalline to amorphous silicates, and has a large number of other applications.