Exoplanets

There is something about inverse square laws which makes them break down at extremities. Einstein showed this in the past with General Relativity. The inverse square law for calculating irradiance from a star is a direct consequence of conservation of energy. However, there are limitations to the inverse square law when we talk about a system of a planet very close to their host star. 

I was fortunate to get a chance to work on a project that makes a case that how inverse square law breaks down for a particular latitude on the planet and how a new mathematical model can supersede it. The adjacent figure shows that at high latitudes we see a deviation from inverse square law. This deviation when incorporated in the General Circulation Model (GCM) can radically alter the climate of the planet.

I worked on this project in collaboration with the Geneva Observatory. I developed a unique code for modelling the irradiation on such planets. You may find it here.