1. LOFAR Searches for Radio Exoplanets
Jake D. Turner
University of Virginia

2. Exoplanet Magnetic Fields
Motivation
Interior structure
Star-planet Interactions
Habitability
Jake Turner (University of Virginia) AAS 232: June 4, 2018

3. Detection of Magnetic Fields Radio emission observations
Solar System Radio Spectrum
Space
Ground
fg = 2.8 (Bp/G) MHz
Bp: Planetary B-field
100% circularly polarized
Flux (Planet) ≥ Flux (star)
Jake Turner (University of Virginia) AAS 232: June 4, 2018

4. LOFAR 55 Cnc Observations
Intensity (SEFD)
Phase (Days)
55 Cnc Beam
Sky Beam
16-73 MHz
No emission from 55 Cnc in total intensity
Jake Turner (University of Virginia) AAS 232: June 4, 2018

5. Jupiter as an Exoplanet28
Intensity (SEFD)
Time (s)
Frequency (MHz) 26 24 16 18 20 22
Detection Limit: 65 light years if strength of emission is 100,000x Jupiter’s circularly polarization emission
Can be used as a guide in exoplanet radio search
Jake Turner (University of Virginia) AAS 232: June 4, 2018

6. Summary
No emission seen in the 55Cnc exoplanet system in total intensity
Modeled radio emission of Jupiter as a proxy for exoplanet emission for the first time
Detection Limit: Up to 65 light years if strength of emission is 100,000x Jupiter’s circularly polarized emission
Exoplanetary magnetic fields will help us learn about the planet’s interior structure, possible star-planet Interactions and even its habitability