Center for Astrophysics Research and Technologies Seminar Series
Searching for Water on Neptune-sized Exoplanets
Presented by Sara Jeffreys
Transit spectroscopy can be used to study the atmospheres of planets as they pass in front of their star, where we can then produce the spectra of the atmosphere. In order to measure a planet's atmosphere, there are many parameters necessary just for the probability of seeing a transit. An especially good candidate has a small, bright star and a large, bright planet so that we can see the dip in flux as it blocks some of the star's light. Then, with the exoplanet's transit, the atmosphere can be seen with the light of the star as it peers through it. My project has focused on studying Hubble spectra of stars with transiting exoplanets, specifically TOI-1231, and searching their atmospheres for water. TOI-1231 is Neptune-sized and in the habitable zone of its system, which potentially makes for a great candidate for study. In my talk, I will discuss how we study atmospheres scientifically and instrumentally, and show the work done so far as well as what is expected for the future. Studying the atmospheres of exoplanets can help us learn more about planet formation and any potential for habitability. We are looking, specifically, into the spectra of this atmosphere for an absorption line of water. Some of the technical aspect has involved producing this spectra and finding better ways to reduce the data to produce that transit. In the near future, there is hope to constrain these measurements further, and to detect water in the atmosphere in TOI-1231.
2:00 pm, Thursday, April 28, 2022
PAIS-3205, PAIS
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