March 9
Comparing 1D and 3D Atmosphere Models & Exoplanet Detection with Planetary Infrared Excess (PIE)
Speaker: Dr. Lindsey Wiser, JHU APL
Abstract: I will present two primary projects. First, I will share results from a comparison of 1D atmosphere models (i.e., varying only with altitude) with 3D models that incorporate circulation and spatial variability. I’ll discuss how 3D effects can show up in an observed exoplanet secondary eclipse spectrum and compare 1D/3D spectral differences to simulated JWST observations. Briefly, I will share the next steps of this work. Second, I will present a possible method for exoplanet detection using planetary infrared excess (PIE) combined with machine learning. Stellar spectra are relatively well characterized; however, the spectral signal from an orbiting planet peaks in the infrared and alters the observed system spectrum relative to that of a lone star, producing a detectable PIE. The majority of known exoplanets are transiting, but with PIE, we may be able to detect numerous non-transiting planets. I will outline the testing we have done thus far and future efforts to develop this method.
Host: Yoni Brande