Climate and atmospheric models of rocky planets: habitability and observational properties

Abstract

The quest for atmospheric spectral signatures that may witness biological activity in exoplanets is focused on rocky planets. The best targets for future, challenging spectroscopic observations will be selected among potentially habitable planets. Surface habitability can be quantified and explored with climate and atmospheric models according to temperature-based criteria. The conceptual, modellistic, technological and interpretative complexity of the problem requires to develop flexible climate and atmospheric models suited for a comprehensive exploration of observationally unconstrained parameters, and to simulate and interpret definitely non-terrestrial conditions. We present a summary and preliminary results on the work we are performing on multi-parametric explorations of the habitability and observational properties of rocky planets.