Modelling the Diversity of Extrasolar Terrestrial Planets

Abstract

As we prepare to undertake the observational search for extrasolar terrestrial planets, theoretical modeling studies can help to prepare us for the likely diversity of the extrasolar terrestrial planets. This diversity may arise as a function of planetary system architecture and formation history, which results in a variety of initial planetary properties, as well as stellar, planetary and biological evolutionary processes. Modeling of the physical and chemical processes of the planetary environment, and their interaction with the parent star, allows us to understand the nature of the planetary characteristics that indicate habitability and life, and how these manifest in the planetary spectra. Here we present disk-averaged spectra of planets in our own solar system, and models of the Earth through several eons to understand the types of planetary characteristics that are likely to be observed by planned planet detection and characterization missions.