Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2009
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009aas...21425103m&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #214, #251.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 41, p.752
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
As we move from the era of detection towards that of characterization of extrasolar planets the focus of exoplanet studies is moving beyond mass determinations towards understanding atmospheric structure, composition, and dynamics. This is true not only for the transiting planets but also for the recently announced directly imaged planets, such as those orbiting the A star HR 8799. Molecules and condensates of course play major roles in such characterization efforts. Within the solar system, the atmospheres of all of the giants are enhanced in heavy elements over solar composition, by factors ranging from 4 to 50 for various elements and planets. Generally the enhancement (as traced by CH4, NH3, H2S and H2O) rises with both distance from the sun and falling planet mass. The detailed pattern of this enhancement is taken to be a signature of the planet formation process and the subsequent accretion of planetesimals into the atmospheres of the giants, although the details of this interpretation remain controversial. A measure of the atmospheric composition for many different planetary systems will thus provide important new tests for planetary formation theory. In my review I will discuss what has been learned about molecules in exoplanet atmospheres and explain the role these molecules play in controlling atmospheric structure and thermal emission. Clouds are also important tracers of atmospheric composition and temperature and I will discuss what has been learned about clouds and cloud opacity from studies of brown dwarf atmospheres and review the very important role clouds play in controlling the reflected and emitted spectra of extrasolar planets. Uncertainties of course abound and I will stress the importance of improving our knowledge of molecular lines lists, particularly those of methane and ammonia, for advancing our understanding of extrasolar planets.
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