Virtual Laboratories for Exoplanets and Planet Forming Disks

Project Information

CHAMELEON

Grant agreement ID: 860470

DOI

10.3030/860470

Project closed

EC signature date 5 February 2020

Start date 1 June 2020

End date 31 May 2024

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Total cost

€ 4 117 953,65

EU contribution

€ 4 117 953,65

Coordinated by

OESTERREICHISCHE AKADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAFTEN
Austria

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CHAMELEON (Virtual Laboratories for Exoplanets and Planet Forming Disks)

Reporting period: 2022-06-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The aim of the CHAMELEON project is to develop Virtual Laboratories in order to simulate yet unexplored physico-chemical environments in planet-forming disks and exoplanet atmospheres. Retrieving (from data), predicting (from detailed models), and thereby understanding the link between the chemical composition of planet-forming disks and exoplanet atmospheres is a challenging task.

The overall objectives of the CHAMELEON MC ITN EJD are:

A) Scientific objective: Retrieve and predict the chemical composition of planet-forming disks and exoplanet atmospheres using Virtual Laboratories.

B) Technological objective: Knowledge transfer between planet and disk community by the exchange of state-of-the-art codes. Apply and develop models of different complexity as link between big observational and numerical modelling data. Explore models as Virtual Laboratories for exploring parameter spaces that cannot (yet) be reached by observations nor by (laboratory) experiments.

C) Educational objective: Train complex modelling and big-data interpretation. Use fascination for exoplanets and their birthplaces to promote science in the society, in local and wider communities.

Addressing all three objective enables our common understanding for fundamental processes that lead to the formation of planets that orbit different stars, and for the diversity of exoplanets that have been observed. The involved technology development in form of Virtual Laboratories progresses the necessary in-depth knowledge in chemistry and physics as well as that of numerical approaches. Solving complex coupled systems as well as applying machine learning techniques are part of this process. Our Virtual Laboratories enable the interpretation of high-profile space telescope data like from Hubble, James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as well as PLATO and Ariel in the future, and hence, enable local science return from internationally funded space missions. These results are the base for science promotion within our local and global communities, and for future technology developments in the space sector.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We expanded our understanding of the chemical processes in planet-forming disks by extending our chemical rate networks to include size-dependent dust charging and the production of larger hydrocarbon molecules in disks. Detailed analysis of the resulting rates and concentrations have revealed the chemical pathways that lead to dust charging, production of particular molecular ions in the midplane, and hydro-carbon molecules in the line-forming regions of the inner disk observable with JWST.

We have used machine learning algorithms to apply Bayesian retrieval analysis to observational data from planet-forming disks and exoplanets, respectively, based on our complex theoretical models. The training of neural networks now allows us to generate model SEDs (spectral energy distributions) in a couple of milli-seconds, making full Bayesian analysis possible, to determine the uncertainties of the various physical stellar, disk, and dust parameters.

Further, the composition of extrasolar atmospheres irradiated by their host star for old planets (age > 1 Gyrs) and the composition of young (age >> 1 Gyrs) self-luminous exoplanets were studied. The aim was not only to develop the complex atmosphere models even further but also apply these models observations to assess the impact of a host star's varying irradiation, as well as cloud formation, lightening and charge process in the planetary atmosphere.

Within the CHAMELEON project, established models were adapted or combined, and new models and tools were created. As examples for the scientific field of exoplanets we would like to mention the combination of the 3D climate model with the fully self-consistent kinetic cloud formation model DRIFT and the new theoretical framework to understand the formation and stability of metal oxide clusters that form in the atmospheres of hot extrasolar planets. Within the scientific field of planet-forming disks, the well-established modelling tool ProDiMo was extended by the implementation of size-dependent dust charging as well as by adding larger hydro-carbon molecules with up to eight carbon atoms, and a fast disk model called the DuCKLinG code was created.

Dissemination of scientific research in peer-reviewed journals is an important route for scientific impact. Currently, we anticipate that our 15 PhD students and their supervisors will have produce a cumulative body of scholarly work that will equate to at least 140 or more papers in leading international journals, with more than 35 first-authored papers of our students. More than 40 of the mentioned published papers are related to observations of JWST.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Various innovative research aspects are embedded in the CHAMELEON project in such a way that the outcome of CHAMELEON moved beyond the present state-of-the-art:

– 3D chemical kinetic, dynamic and cloud forming/evolving models for planets,

– rigorous treatment of complex physical and chemical systems, and their interplay,

– understanding and exploiting large and combined codes as Virtual Laboratories,

– handling massive synthetic and heterogeneously observed datasets to draw robust conclusions,

– establish complex models as base tool for data interpretation and strong link to observations,

– use of neural networks/deep learning to train the exoplanet and disk model retrieval algorithms

– Art & Science and Art & Education activities, where the science conducted within the project is disseminated via art and educational activities mainly ran by two of the ESRs

CHAMELEON modelling results have been extensively used for interpreting observational data from the James-Web-Space telescope. CHAMELEON members have been involved in more than 40 JWST-related papers within the first year of the JWST operation. CHAMELEON models are also used to provide physical interpretation to the CHEOPS space mission data. CHAMELEON virtual laboratories hold also key positions for the science case development of future missions like Ariel (Min, Decin), PLATO (Helling, Carone, Min, Woitke), but also LIFE (Woitke) and NewAthena (Helling).

To celebrate the successful closing of the CHAMELEON project, a final conference was organised. This conference aimed to bring together scientists from various scientific fields working on exoplanets, disk evolution, pre-biology, exotic life, and the future of life and humanity. The conference was hosted by the CHAMELEON partner University of Copenhagen and co-supported by CELS, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, and the Carlsberg Foundation. The conference theme went beyond the topic of CHAMELEON and aimed to link the network’s research to forthcoming research developments. The conference showcased the results and efforts of the CHAMELEON network and offered a platform to discuss future projects to foster the continuation of joint efforts beyond the funding period.

Further, in parallel to the scientific conference, the art exhibition “Exploring Exoplanets” was organised to display the “Arts, Education & Science Outreach” effort and outcome of the CHAMELEON network. The “Exploring Exoplanets” exhibition merged the realms of art and science, focusing on the innovative intersection of astrophysics and creative expression. Set against the backdrop of the concluding CHAMELEON innovative training network, which has paved new paths.

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