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Detection of carbon monoxide and water absorption lines in an exoplanet atmosphere

From National Research Council Canada

DOIResolve DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1232003
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Affiliation
  1. National Research Council of Canada
FormatText, Article
Subjectcarbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; water; absorption; astronomy; atmospheric chemistry; atmospheric structure; carbon monoxide; chemical composition; gravity field; oxygen; planetary atmosphere; planetary evolution; spectral analysis; water; astronomy; atmosphere; chemical composition; cloud; energy; gravity; light; light scattering; mass; signal noise ratio; temperature; water absorption; Atmosphere; Carbon Monoxide; Evolution, Planetary; Extraterrestrial Environment; Gravitation; Planets; Spectrum Analysis; Water
Abstract
Determining the atmospheric structure and chemical composition of an exoplanet remains a formidable goal. Fortunately, advancements in the study of exoplanets and their atmospheres have come in the form of direct imaging - spatially resolving the planet from its parent star - which enables high-resolution spectroscopy of self-luminous planets in jovian-like orbits. Here, we present a spectrum with numerous, well-resolved molecular lines from both water and carbon monoxide from a massive planet orbiting less than 40 astronomical units from the star HR 8799. These data reveal the planet's chemical composition, atmospheric structure, and surface gravity, confirming that it is indeed a young planet. The spectral lines suggest an atmospheric carbon-to-oxygen ratio that is greater than that of the host star, providing hints about the planet's formation.
Publication date
In
  • Science 339, no. 6126 (2013): 1398–1401.
LanguageEnglish
Peer reviewedYes
NPARC number21270742
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Record identifier95999e6b-e130-4cd5-988c-f472b7c73e86
Record created2014-02-17
Record modified2020-04-22
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