Short Info

February 5-9th 2024

Ringberg Castle, Tagungsstätte der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Schlossstrasse 20, 83708 Kreuth, Bavaria, Germany. Directions can be found on the Webpage of Schloss Ringberg.

The conference format was that of a workshop with multiple working groups focusing on specific topics. The major topics were:

1. Formation and Evolution
2. Internal Structure
3. Atmospheres
4. Demographics

From the concluding discussion, the participants agreed on the following messages for the broader community.

0. Sub Neptunes are the most dominant exoplanet population known to date
1. JWST is capable of detecting the atmospheres of sub Neptunes
2. There are multiple scenarios capable of explaining the current observations. We need a) more observations and b) testable predictions and contextual factors
3. There is a need for models coupling the interior and atmosphere while accounting for evolution processes
4. There is a need for laboratory work and experimental data including
   • Equations of State at high temperatures and pressures
   • Material properties
   • Line lists and continuum emission/absorption
   • Chemical reaction rates
   Theoretical sensitivity studies need to quantifiy the importance of these model ingredients.
5. Intrinsic distributions of fundamental planetary properties would be very useful for answering important population-level questions.

What is the main direction where research is required to understand the nature of small exoplanets (Earths to sub Neptunes)?

Individual, anonymous quotes by participants of the Density Matters 2024 workshop.

"Better coupled atmosphere-interior models, which make testable, observable predictions about what molecules to observe in the atmosphere and how to link these to the interior state"

"How can we go from elemental budgets from formation via realistic interiors to final atmospheres?"

"More work in the lab looking at realistic compositions of sub-Neptune atmospheres and their interiors (e.g. silicates, water, and hydrogen at extremely high temperatures and pressures). Many of our models rely on extrapolations that may not be valid."

Schedule

SOC