Magnetic Effects in Hot Jupiter Atmospheres
Abstract
We present magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the atmospheres of hot Jupiters ranging in temperature from 1100-1800K. Magnetic effects are negligible in atmospheres with temperatures 1400K. At higher temperatures winds are variable and in many cases, mean equatorial flows can become westward, opposite to their hydrodynamic counterparts. Ohmic dissipation peaks at temperatures 1500-1600K, depending on field strength, with maximum values 1018W at 10bar, substantially lower than previous estimates. Based on the limited parameter study done, this value can not be increased substantially with increasing winds, higher temperatures, higher field strengths, different boundary conditions or lower diffusivities. Although not resolved in these simulations there is modest evidence that a magnetic buoyancy instability may proceed in hot atmospheres.