Dix Planetary Science Seminar

Abstract:
Many close-orbit giant planets have radii up to twice as large as those predicted by traditional models.
I will present an analytical model that explains this inflation by heat deposition in the planet's atmosphere and apply it to the specific case of Ohmic heating due to the interaction between the planet's magnetic field and winds in its atmosphere.
If time permits, I will explain how inflation affects the engulfment (Roche-lobe overflow) of the hottest hot Jupiters, and how we can use it to constrain the mass of their rocky cores.