Author

Zhaopeng Wang

ORCID Identifier(s)

0000-0001-7421-5264

Graduation Semester and Year

2017

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy in Physics and Applied Physics

Department

Physics

First Advisor

Manfred Cuntz

Abstract

A comprehensive approach is provided to the study of habitable zones (HZs) for both S-type and P-type cases of stellar binary systems for both circular and elliptical orbits of the binary components, based on habitability limits for the Sun from previous work. Habitable regions are determined through the consideration of a joint constraint, including the planetary orbital stability and the extent of the radiative habitable zones (RHZs). The HZs are classified based on solar system habitability limits, which also consider different climate models. In this work, the new climate model published by Kopparapu in 2014 is used for RHZ calculation. Comparisons among results from different climate models are made and previous work based on old climate models are introduced. Furthermore, fitting formulae for the quick determination of existence of S-type and P-type Habitable Zones are derived and applied to real systems. The fitting formulae, which are based on Kopparapu’s climate model, will be very useful because: (1) the observational uncertainties can be considered in a straightforward manner; (2) the fitting formulae are focusing on main-sequence stars, of which most systems are expected to consist.

Keywords

Astrobiology, Binaries, Planetary systems

Disciplines

Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Physics

Comments

Degree granted by The University of Texas at Arlington

26994-2.zip (1715 kB)

Included in

Physics Commons

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.