Laboratory and Virtual Models as Bridges between Solar System Planets and the Exoplanets.

Abstract:

Our own solar system is a perfect illustration of planetary diversity. The thought that each of the thousands of planetary systems outside our own could have equally as many (or more!) diverse planets can make the thought of characterizing them feel impossible. However, the diversity of our solar system is what will help us accomplish this magnanimous task. Collaborative efforts across scientific disciplines (astrophysics, planetary science, heliophysics, etc.) help us learn about the processes that shape the environmental conditions and evolution of our solar system’s planets. All of these efforts, accomplished through laboratory and theoretical studies, can now be applied to newly discovered exoplanets to describe the physical and chemical processes that shape exoplanets. Without the ability to physically visit exoplanets, our greatest chance of success in understanding exoplanets will build from our achievements in modeling efforts and laboratory experiments describing our own solar system.