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Absorption Spectra of the Prototype Hot-Jupiters: determination of atmospheric constituents and structure
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 May 2008
Abstract
The two prototype hot-Jupiter exoplanets HD209458b and HD189733b are currently offering an unprecedented view of their atmospheres. As discussed here, primary transit transmission spectra provide the opportunity to identify specific atomic and molecular species, determine their abundances, and recover temperature-pressure-altitude information. We present a reanalysis of existing HST/STIS data on HD209458b, providing a complete optical transmission spectrum. Analysis of this spectrum have revealed: (1) the planetary abundance of sodium which is ~2X solar (2) a depletion of sodium at high altitudes due to condensation or ionization (3) Rayleigh scattering by H2 (3) a high temperature at pressures of 10's mbar consistent with the dayside inversion (4) a separate high-altitude hot temperature from the planet's thermosphere and (5) likely absorption by TiO/VO. While HD209458b and HD189733b are currently the best candidates for these studies, another ~10 exoplanets are good targets with today's instruments for future transmission-based atmospheric detections.
- Type
- Contributed Papers
- Information
- Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 4 , Symposium S253: Transiting Planets , May 2008 , pp. 532 - 535
- Copyright
- Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2009
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