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Harrison Nicholls (he/him)

Graduate student in AOPP

Research theme

  • Astronomy and astrophysics

Sub department

  • Atmospheric, Oceanic and Planetary Physics

Research groups

  • Planetary Climate Dynamics
harrison.nicholls@physics.ox.ac.uk
nichollsh.github.io
  • About

Summary

My current research is focussed on understanding the chemical evolution of the atmospheres of young rocky-planets. The relationship between the interior, the surface, the atmosphere, space is complex and is not something we yet understand the dynamics of. By combining various numerical models together we can trace out the evolution pathways of these planets, which is not only critical for interpreting observations, but can help elucidate their histories. It is also possible that geological and chemical mechanisms could mimic biotic behaviour through their influence on biosignature gases.

I have also investigated the chemical evolution of hot-Jupiter atmospheres under time-dependent UV irradiation associated with stellar activity. We do not yet understand the effect of flares on these atmospheres, and they may have effects which are observable with JWST.

I am supported by a Clarendon Scholarship, a Margaret Thatcher Scholarship, and the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

Research interests

Exoplanets
Astrochemistry
Radiative transfer
Planet formation
Thermodynamics

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