On the relative importance of AGN winds for the evolution of exoplanet atmospheres

Abstract

Recent work investigating the impact of winds and outflows from active galactic nuclei (AGN) on the habitability of exoplanets suggests that such activity could be deleterious for the long-term survival of planetary atmospheres and the habitability of planets subject to such winds. Here, we discuss the relative importance of the effect of AGN winds compared to stellar winds and the effect of the planet's magnetosphere and stellar irradiation and conclude that AGN winds are not likely to play a significant role in the evolution of atmospheric conditions in planets under conditions otherwise favorable for habitability.