NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0387
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0387 |
|
PI: Jean-Michel Desert, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA, jdesert@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: SSP, 60 Garden Street MS-16, Cambridge, MA 02138
CoI: Jacob Bean, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA
CoI: Jonathan Fortney, UCSC
Title: Searching for high altitude absorbers in the atmospheres of two hot Jupiter prototypes
Abstract:
The characterization of hot Jupiter atmospheres is an important step
for understanding the nature, diversity and origins of these objects.
When observed in transmission in the blue part of the visible, hot
Jupiter atmospheres can exhibit strong high altitude absorbers, haze
traces and photochemical products. These processes are currently poorly
understood and remain unconstrained, yet they drive the energy budget of
these planets. We propose to have a better empirical knowledge of hot
Jupiter atmospheric chemistry by extending the sample of observed
objects in order to conduct comparative exoplanetology studies. We will
measure the transmission spectrum of two prototypes of hot Jupiters,
CoRoT-1b and Wasp-4b, in the blue optical to reveal the absorption
strength of possible chemical features. We will observe the two planets
during transits with Gemini-S/GMOS using a recently proved technique for
obtaining space-telescope quality exoplanet transit spectroscopy from
the ground. Our objective is to obtain the planet atmospheric
compositions and to test the presence or absence of hazes. Furthermore,
the combination of the proposed transmission spectrum measurements with
optical and NIR transmisson and emission observations will provide
strong constraints on the overall physical properties of these planets.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
|
NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011B-0387 |
|