Scholarlink

<p>Brown dwarfs are massive, giant exoplanet analogues subject to variability and colour changes, known as the L/T transition, fundamental for their thermal evolution. The drivers of the L/T transition remain elusive, with atmospheric circulations and/or clouds usually suggested as potential mechanisms. Here, using a three-dimensional global climate model including cloud formation, transport and multiwavelength radiative effects, we show that clouds play a major role in shaping the atmospheric properties of brown dwarfs. The cloud radiative effect, which triggers atmospheric convection, leads to spectral, spatial and temporal variability in the modelled brown dwarfs, in agreement with the observed variability and L/T transition. Low latitudes are subject to sustained wave activity, whereas eddies dominate higher latitudes. Our results highlight that the role of clouds as a driver of atmospheric dynamics and climate, well known for giant exoplanets, extends to all substellar bodies.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Clouds as the driver of variability and colour changes in brown dwarf atmospheres

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月19日

查看全文
  • Lucas Teinturier,
  • Benjamin Charnay,
  • Aymeric Spiga,
  • Bruno Bézard

摘要

Brown dwarfs are massive, giant exoplanet analogues subject to variability and colour changes, known as the L/T transition, fundamental for their thermal evolution. The drivers of the L/T transition remain elusive, with atmospheric circulations and/or clouds usually suggested as potential mechanisms. Here, using a three-dimensional global climate model including cloud formation, transport and multiwavelength radiative effects, we show that clouds play a major role in shaping the atmospheric properties of brown dwarfs. The cloud radiative effect, which triggers atmospheric convection, leads to spectral, spatial and temporal variability in the modelled brown dwarfs, in agreement with the observed variability and L/T transition. Low latitudes are subject to sustained wave activity, whereas eddies dominate higher latitudes. Our results highlight that the role of clouds as a driver of atmospheric dynamics and climate, well known for giant exoplanets, extends to all substellar bodies.