Poster Presentation

Magnetic field structure of rocky extra solar planets

Author(s): K M Hiremath

Presenter: K M Hiremath (Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru-560034, Professor (Retired))

Sustenance of magnetic field structure of rocky planets is very important for the survival of life. In addition, understanding of magnetic field structure is also important for understanding thermal structure of the planets as coefficient of magnetic diffusion depends upon temperature structure of the interior. Inspired by our previous study (Planetary and Space Science 63­64 ,2012, 8­14) on model of magnetic field structure of Mercury, for different boundary conditions at the core-mantle boundary and at the surface, Chadrasekhar's MHD equations are analytically solved and internal magnetic field structure of rocky planets is obtained. With inputs from thus obtained surface magnetic field structures, atmospheric magnetic field structures are also obtained. Finally, magnetic diffusion time scales of different rocky planets are estimated and is examined whether magnetic field structure of different rocky extra solar planets exist (survive) upto present observed ages or not.