When
3:45 p.m., April 16, 2013
Where
Kuiper Space Science 308
Dr. Channon Visscher
Research Scientist
Southwest Research Institute
Host: Adam Showman
Chemistry in impact-generated disks and planetary atmospheres
Chemical processes play a key role in shaping the observational and geochemical properties of planetary objects. Moreover, better understanding these processes may yield important clues about planetary formation and evolution. In this two-part talk, I will discuss new chemical models exploring 1) the chemistry of the impact-generated proto-lunar disk and 2) chemical processes in the upper atmospheres of giant planets inside and outside of the solar system. For both cases, the model results will be discussed in light of recently available observational constraints by exploring the physical and chemical processes that produced the elemental and isotopic abundance patterns observed in lunar materials, and the coupled photochemical, thermochemical, and dynamical processes that are responsible for the observational properties of planetary atmospheres.
Research Scientist
Southwest Research Institute
Host: Adam Showman
Chemistry in impact-generated disks and planetary atmospheres
Chemical processes play a key role in shaping the observational and geochemical properties of planetary objects. Moreover, better understanding these processes may yield important clues about planetary formation and evolution. In this two-part talk, I will discuss new chemical models exploring 1) the chemistry of the impact-generated proto-lunar disk and 2) chemical processes in the upper atmospheres of giant planets inside and outside of the solar system. For both cases, the model results will be discussed in light of recently available observational constraints by exploring the physical and chemical processes that produced the elemental and isotopic abundance patterns observed in lunar materials, and the coupled photochemical, thermochemical, and dynamical processes that are responsible for the observational properties of planetary atmospheres.