Seminar: Characterization of Exoplanets: From Raw Data to Planet Atmospheres

Exoplanet atmospheres are informative about planetary conditions, which is of interest for a range of topics from planet formation to habitability. However, information regarding these atmospheres is difficult to extract because the signal from exoplanet atmospheres is weak.  This project seeks to characterize the exoplanets from raw data to the chemical composition of the planet atmosphere. Specifically, three packages were developed for this purpose; PyReduce, PySME, and ChEATS. PyReduce takes raw data and calibrations and reduces the data into a 1D spectrum using the efficient “Optimal Extraction” algorithm. PySME is a stellar spectral synthesis code which uses 1D LTE calculations to determine the stellar parameters. Finally, ChEATS uses cross-correlation on high resolution exoplanet transit observations to detect the presence of molecules such as H20 and CO in real exoplanets. ChEATS has been applied to spectra from CRIRES+ resulting in novel results regarding WASP107b. These packages allow for clearer analysis of a wider variety of planets and atmospheric components.

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We will go to lunch at 12:20. There will be fika in the astronomy corridor (Hus 9 Plan 5) after the seminar.