The origin of hydrogen around HD 209458b.
Using numerical simulation, Holmström et al. proposed a plausible alternative explanation of the observed Lyman-alpha absorption that was seen during the transit of HD 209458b (ref. 2). They conclude that radiation pressure alone cannot explain the observations and that a peculiar stellar wind is needed. Here we show that radiation pressure alone can in fact produce the observed high-velocity hydrogen atoms. We also emphasize that even if the stellar wind is responsible for the observed hydrogen, to have a sufficient number of atoms for charge exchange with stellar wind, the energetic neutral atom (ENA) model also needs a significant escape from the planet atmosphere of similar amplitude as quoted in ref. 2.
Lecavelier des Etangs
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CNRS, UMR 7095, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris, 98bis boulevard Arago, F-75014 Paris, France. lecaveli@iap.fr
Vidal-Madjar
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Désert
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