Investigating cloud cover variability on Earth-like exoplanets using polarimetry

Abstract

Because clouds scatter and absorb incident radiation, they play crucial roles in the radiative balance, the atmospheric chemistry, climate, and thus the habitability
of a planet. Clouds usually affect the planet’s observables. We investigate here the effect of partial and variable cloud coverage on the light that is reflected by an
Earth-like exoplanet, exploring not only the total flux but also the linearly and circularly polarized fluxes.