Computer Science
Scientific paper
Feb 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010sptz.prop..542d&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #542
Computer Science
Scientific paper
Theoretical models predict that low mass planets are likely to exist with atmospheres that can vary widely in their composition and structure. Our team recently detected a super-Earth transiting the nearby low-mass star GJ1214 (Charbonneau et al., 2009). This detection has opened the door to testing predictions of low mass planet atmosphere theories. We propose to use the Spitzer space telescope to detect the atmosphere and infer the molecular composition of GJ1214b. The mid-infrared (MIR) is particularly well suited to observe numerous molecular signatures such as water vapor. We plan to observe the primary eclipse of the planet (when the planet passes in front of the parent star) with the IRAC instrument in the two available channels at 3.6 and 4.5 microns. Comparing the radius measurements obtained in the two band-passes will allow us to detect the atmosphere of this object and to place constraints on its molecular composition. This study is possible because of the small size of the host star GJ1214. Consequently, the expected atmospheric signatures observed in transmission (0.1%) can be detected with the same level of confidence as has successfully been accomplished with much larger planets (hot-Jupiters). Moreover, the high photometric precision, continuous coverage and no limb-darkening of these light curves will improve the planetary parameters, and allow to search for transiting moons.
Berta Zachory
Burke Christopher
Charbonneau David
Desert Jean-Michel
Irwin Jonathan
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