The contribution of small grains to the opacity of protoplanetary atmospheres

Morris Podolak*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

82 Scopus citations

Abstract

I compute the opacity of grains in a protoplanetary atmosphere. The grain size distribution at different levels in the atmosphere is calculated using a simple microphysical model of grain growth via collisions and destruction via vaporization at high temperatures. The Rosseland mean opacity of the resulting distribution is then computed. For most cases examined, the grain opacity is significantly lower than earlier estimates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)428-437
Number of pages10
JournalIcarus
Volume165
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2003

Keywords

  • Atmospherese, evolution
  • Origin, Solar System
  • Planetary formation

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