Computer Simulation of Hydrogen and Helium in the Interior of Giant Planets

Investigator(s):

Burkhard Militzer (PI)

Sponsor:

Carnegie Institution of Washington, DC 20005 2023876400

Start Date/Expiration Date

2005-07-15 to 2006-06-30 (amended 2005-07-14)

Awarded Amount to Date:

$60,846

Abstract: AST-0507321 Burkhard Militzer Carnegie Institution of Washington Computer Simulation of Hydrogen and Helium in the Interior of Giant Planets ABSTRACT An improved equation of state for hydrogen-helium mixtures at high temperatures and pressures will be developed. This will be accomplished using newly developed first principle techniques employing many body simulations (path integral Monte Carlo techniques at higher temperatures and density functional molecular dynamics at lower temperatures). The results will be applied to three outstanding problems in planetary astronomy: 1) Does Jupiter have a core and did it emerge from core accretion? 2) What are the properties of the metallic to molecular transition in hydrogen inside giant planets and how does it affect the distribution of helium? 3) What mechanism prolonged Saturn's cooling (observed to be twice as long as predicted)? Moreover, equations of state for degenerate hydrogen-helium mixtures developed here will be critical components in models of extrasolar giant planets. These results are expected to significantly improve our ability to constrain the physical properties of these planets from transit and radial velocity data. The final equations of state and the software to interpolate among them will be placed on the web for public use. One post-doctoral fellow will be supported and undergraduates will be included in the research as part of a Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site program. One post-doctoral fellow will be supported and undergraduates will be included in the research as part of a Research Experiences for Undergraduates Site program.

NSF Org:

AST - Division of Astronomical Sciences

Award Number:

0507321

Award Instrument:

Continuing grant

Program Manager:

Michael M. Briley
AST Division of Astronomical Sciences
MPS Directorate for Mathematical & Physical Sciences

NSF Program(s):

STELLAR ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSC

Field Application(s):

Program Reference Code(s):

CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE/SCIENCE, 7569
STELLAR ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSC, 1215
THEORETICAL & COMPUTATIONAL ASTROPHYSICS, 1206
UNASSIGNED, 0000

Program Element Code(s):

1215