PALS: Taylor Bell (STScI), Exploring the Multi-Dimensional Nature of Exoplanet Atmospheres with JWST

Exploring the Multi-Dimensional Nature of Exoplanet Atmospheres with JWST

Taylor Bell
ESA/AURA Astronomer I
Space Telescope Science Institute

Abstract: With the transformative capabilities of JWST, we can now explore exoplanet atmospheres with unprecedented detail, breaking free from traditional one-dimensional models. In this talk, I will share how JWST observations—including transits, eclipses, phase curves, and eclipse mapping observations—are uncovering the intricate, multi-dimensional nature of exoplanet atmospheres. I will present key findings from work on exoplanets such as WASP-80b, WASP-43b, and WASP-107b, revealing phenomena like horizontal and vertical mixing, cloud asymmetries, and day-night heat redistribution. These studies illuminate how chemical and thermal processes interact to produce diverse atmospheric behaviors. I will also discuss how these discoveries are advancing our understanding of planetary atmospheres and outline the next steps toward unraveling their multi-dimensional complexities.

Host: Hayley Beltz