Clouds have an important role in the atmospheres of planetary bodies. It is expected that, like all the planetary bodies in our solar system, exoplanet atmospheres will also have substantial […]
extrasolar
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Highlights in the Study of Exoplanet Atmospheres
Exoplanets are now being discovered in profusion. However, to understand their character requires spectral models and data. These elements of remote sensing can yield temperatures, compositions, and even weather patterns, […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Discriminating Between Cloudy, Hazy and Clearsky Exoplanets Using Refraction
We propose a method to distinguish between cloudy, hazy and clearsky (free of clouds and hazes) exoplanet atmospheres that could be applicable to upcoming large aperture space and ground-based telescopes […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
Evolution of Exoplanets and their Parent Stars
Studying exoplanets with their parent stars is crucial to understand their population, formation and history. We review some of the key questions regarding their evolution with particular emphasis on giant […]
Posted inHabitable Zones, Press Release
Water On Earth Is Older Than Our Sun
A pioneering new study has shown that water found on Earth predates the formation of the Sun — raising hopes that life could exist on exoplanets, the planets orbiting other […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Characterizing Earth-like Planets Using Spectroscopy and High-Contrast Instruments
Future radial velocity, astrometric and direct imaging surveys will find nearby Earth-sized planets within the habitable zone (HZ) in the near future. How can we search for water and oxygen […]
Posted inAstronomy & Telescopes, Exoplanets, -moons, -comets
Maximizing the ExoEarth Candidate Yield from a Future Direct Imaging Mission
ExoEarth yield is a critical science metric for future exoplanet imaging missions. Here we estimate exoEarth candidate yield using single visit completeness for a variety of mission design and astrophysical […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets
A Hot Super-Neptune With an Earth-sized Low-mass Companion
We report on the characterization of the Kepler-101 planetary system, thanks to a combined DE-MCMC analysis of Kepler data and forty radial velocities obtained with the HARPS-N spectrograph. This system […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Optimal Measures for Characterizing Water-rich Super-Earths
The detection and atmospheric characterization of super-Earths is one of the major frontiers of exoplanetary science. Currently, extensive efforts are underway to detect molecules, particularly H2O, in super-Earth atmospheres. In […]
Posted inExoplanets, -moons, -comets, Habitable Zones
Water Vapor in the Spectrum of Extrasolar Planet HD 189733b: 2. The eclipse
Spectroscopic observations of exoplanets are crucial to infer the composition and properties of their atmospheres. HD 189733b is one of the most extensively studied exoplanets and is a corner stone […]