Computer Science
Scientific paper
Mar 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008sptz.prop50056k&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #50056
Computer Science
Scientific paper
Recent Spitzer observations of the phase variation of HD189733 have revolutionized our understanding of hot Jupiter atmospheres. By measuring the increase in the planet's brightness as its hot day side rotated into view, we were able to map the longitudinal temperature distribution and directly characterize the circulation in the atmosphere of this tidally-locked planet. This spatially-resolved information is significantly richer than secondary eclipse observations alone, which yield only a snapshot of the global properties of the dayside atmosphere. We propose to use our technique to map the atmospheres of the only known transiting Saturn-mass and Neptune-mass exoplanets. HD149026b and GJ436b are the smallest known transiting exoplanets, and as such they offer a unique opportunity to extend atmospheric circulation models to these smaller planets that are primarily ice and rock in composition. Such a data set would be invaluable in addressing questions about the properties of these metal-rich atmospheres, which are expected to differ significantly from those of the previously studied hot Jupiters. By gathering observations over a full orbit for GJ436b, we will study the effects of its significant orbital eccentricity on the properties of its atmosphere. These observations would be the first set to continuously span an entire orbit of an exoplanet. The light curve will allow us to distinguish between the variations in time caused by the planet's eccentric orbit and the expected spatial variations in temperature across the planet's atmosphere. Our observations of the very hot planet HD149026 will either confirm that heat redistribution is very inefficient in its atmosphere, or indicate a serious discrepancy in the global energy budget of this puzzling world.
Agol Eric
Charbonneau David
Cowan Nicolas
Fortney Jonathan
Knutson Heather
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