When Planets Wander too Close to a Star
When Planets Wander too Close to a Star
There is something about inverse square laws which makes them break down at extremities. Einstein showed this in the past with the introduction of General Relativity. The inverse square law for calculating the irradiance from a star is a direct consequence of conservation of energy. However, it is an approximation which fails to be generally applicable.
I was fortunate to get a chance to work on a project that makes a case about how inverse square law breaks down beyond a particular latitude on the planet and suggests a new numerical model that can supersede it. The adjacent figure shows the latitudinal zone where we see a deviation from the inverse square law.
Notable Talks — (CAMK Colloquium )
The research article based on this work has been published in the Astrophysical Journal (ApJ).
DOI — 10.3847/1538-4357/ae29ea
Cover Graphic Credit - Lorenzo Gavassino