NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0497
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0497 |
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PI: Jean-Michel Desert, Harvard-Smithsonian CfA, jdesert@cfa.harvard.edu
Address: SSP, 60 Garden Street MS-16, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
CoI: Jacob Bean, University of Chicago
CoI: Jonathan Fortney, UCSC
CoI: Marcel Bergman, NOAO
Title: Relative atmospheric compositions of a multiplanet system
Abstract:
The Kepler mission has detected an amazingly rich diversity of extra-
solar planet candidates. A large amount of them are grouped in multiple
system, orbiting the same host star. We have now the opportunity to
characterize and compare the diversity of exoplanetary worlds within one
multiple system, and with planets from other systems, thus opening a new
window to the field of comparative exoplanetology. We propose to
observe the atmospheres of the two confirmed Neptune-like planets which
orbit the same host star, Kepler-18c and Kepler-18d. Their planetary
atmospheres will be probed using transmission spectroscopy observations
from 0.4 to 1.0 microns with Gemini-N/GMOS. We will observe the two
planet during transit using a recently proved technique for obtaining
space-telescope quality exoplanet transit spectroscopy from the ground.
These elements are expected to be present in gas phase in the warm
atmospheres of these objects. Comparing these observations to giant
planet atmospheric models, the overall envelope composition and
eventually abundances can be retrieved since models are locked down to
the Kepler measurements. Interestingly, the relative composition
between these two planets will be derived which will help to constrain
planetary formation and evolution theories.
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2012A-0497 |
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