Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-09-25
Astrophys.J.673:526-531,2008
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
14 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/523894
We estimate the strength of the bandpass-integrated thermal emission from the extrasolar planet HD 209458b at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 microns using the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) on the Spitzer Space Telescope. We observe a single secondary eclipse simultaneously in all four bandpasses and find relative eclipse depths of 0.00094 +/- 0.00009, 0.00213 +/- 0.00015, 0.00301 +/- 0.00043, and 0.00240 +/- 0.00026, respectively. These eclipse depths reveal that the shape of the inferred emission spectrum for the planet differs significantly from the predictions of standard atmosphere models; instead the most plausible explanation would require the presence of an inversion layer high in the atmosphere leading to significant water emission in the 4.5 and 5.8 micron bandpasses. This is the first clear indication of such a temperature inversion in the atmosphere of a hot Jupiter, as previous observations of other planets appeared to be in reasonably good agreement with the predictions of models without such an inversion layer.
Allen Lori E.
Burrows Adam
Charbonneau David
Knutson Heather A.
Megeath Thomas S.
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