By simulating exo-atmospheres under extreme stellar conditions, such as tidal locking and high UV flux, research performed in Dr Howard Chen’s group stress-tests the limits of Earth-based climate models. These numerical experiments reveal sensitivities in model physics relevant to forecasting future climate under strong forcing. This approach helps assess the robustness of circulation, cloud, and radiative schemes under novel regimes. See examples of our work.
Earth’s climate history represents only a narrow slice of possible planetary states. By exploring a broader range of atmospheric dynamics in exoplanet simulations, our work helps identify which climate behaviors are Earth-specific and which are universal. These insights support a more comprehensive theory of climate stability and climate transitions across space and time.
Research performed by our team bridges exoplanet and Earth system science by applying 3D general circulation models and 3D global chemistry-climate models. Insights gained from extreme climate can help fine tune Earth based numerical models and better equip them to explore future climates. Our research themes encourage cross-disciplinary advances in Earth and exo-Earth’s climate prediction and model development. See examples of our work.
© Florida Institute of Technology, All Rights Reserved