Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-12-05
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
12 pages, 2 figures; Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters
Scientific paper
10.1086/527475
We present the first ground-based detection of sodium absorption in the transmission spectrum of an extrasolar planet. Absorption due to the atmosphere of the extrasolar planet HD189733b is detected in both lines of the NaI doublet. High spectral resolution observations were taken of eleven transits with the High Resolution Spectrograph (HRS) on the 9.2 meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). The NaI absorption in the transmission spectrum due to HD189733b is (-67.2 +/- 20.7) x 10^-5 deeper in the ``narrow'' spectral band that encompasses both lines relative to adjacent bands. The 1-sigma error includes both random and systematic errors, and the detection is >3-sigma. This amount of relative absorption in NaI for HD189733b is ~3x larger than detected for HD209458b by Charbonneau et al. (2002), and indicates these two hot-Jupiters may have significantly different atmospheric properties.
Cochran William D.
Endl Michael
Koesterke Lars
Redfield Seth
No associations
LandOfFree
Sodium Absorption From the Exoplanetary Atmosphere of HD189733b Detected in the Optical Transmission Spectrum does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Sodium Absorption From the Exoplanetary Atmosphere of HD189733b Detected in the Optical Transmission Spectrum, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Sodium Absorption From the Exoplanetary Atmosphere of HD189733b Detected in the Optical Transmission Spectrum will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-91083