Investigating the Formation and Properties of (Exo)Planetary Atmospheric Aerosols, a Cross-Disciplinary Research Endeavour

ELLA SCIAMMA-O'BRIEN, Erika Barth, Tanguy Bertrand, Jason Cook, Dale Cruikshank, Cristina Dalle Ore, Thomas Drant, David Dubois, Al Emran, William Grundy, Ashton Homyk, Sarah Hörst, Laura Iraci, Lora Jovanovic, Christopher Materese, Michel Nuevo, Zoé Perrin, Pascal Rannou, Claire Ricketts, Ted Roush, Farid Salama, Josh Sebree, Sandrine Vinatier, Diane Wooden, Xinting Yu, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA

     Abstract Number: 567
     Working Group: Planetary Aerosols: From Earth to Exoplanets

Abstract
Observations of cloud and haze particles in (exo)planetary atmospheres have led to the development of experimental studies as well as theoretical models to investigate their formation processes and to characterize their physical, chemical, morphological, and optical properties. Dedicated laboratory experiments allow the production of analogs of these solid materials under different experimental conditions (molecular precursors, temperature, pressure, energy source…) representative of different atmospheric environments, and their characterization with different diagnostic techniques. The laboratory-generated data (e.g. optical constants, spectral features, vapor pressure, grain morphology) can then be used as critical input parameters in models for the analysis and interpretation of observational data.

Here we present several examples that demonstrate how cross-disciplinary research projects, where experimentalists, modelers, and observers work together to answer science questions, allow expertise across different fields (Earth and Planetary sciences, material sciences) to be shared and misconceptions or missing key elements to be tackled by looking at the problem from different perspectives. The various studies to be presented combine (1) experiments producing analogs of (exo)planetary atmospheric aerosols (Titan, Pluto, exoplanets,...) using several laboratory facilities, (2) characterization of their chemical, physical, morphological, and optical properties, (3) modeling efforts and (4) the interpretation of observations. They show the importance of collaborative and comparative studies and how, by working in unison, the group can accomplish more than the sum of its parts by combining results into a higher-level understanding of the chemical processes taking place.