Astronomy and Space Physics

Ansgar Wehrhahn (Uppsala University): Characterization of Exoplanets: From Raw Data to Planet Atmospheres (Pre-Defence Seminar)

Name: Ansgar Wehrhahn (Uppsala University): Characterization of Exoplanets: From Raw Data to Planet Atmospheres (Pre-Defence Seminar)
Start: 2022-09-22T14:00:00+02:00
End: 2022-09-22T15:00:00+02:00
Location: Ångströmlaboratoriet

Thursday 22 Sept 2022, 14:00 → 15:00 Europe/Stockholm

101132 (Ångströmlaboratoriet)

101132

Ångströmlaboratoriet

Description

Title: Characterization of Exoplanets: From Raw Data to Planet Atmospheres
Speaker: Ansgar Wehrhahn
Affiliation: Uppsala University
Time: Thursday 22 September 2022, 1400 to 1500
Location: 101132Å

Abstract:

Exoplanet atmospheres are informative about planetary conditions, which is of interest for a range of topics from planet formation to habitability. However, information regarding these atmospheres is difficult to extract because the signal from exoplanet atmospheres is weak. This project seeks to characterize the exoplanets from raw data to the chemical composition of the planet atmosphere. Specifically, three packages were developed for this purpose; PyReduce, PySME, and ChEATS. PyReduce takes raw data and calibrations and reduces the data into a 1D spectrum using the efficient “Optimal Extraction” algorithm. PySME is a stellar spectral synthesis code which uses 1D LTE calculations to determine the stellar parameters. Finally, ChEATS uses cross-correlation on high resolution exoplanet transit observations to detect the presence of molecules such as H20 and CO in real exoplanets. ChEATS has been applied to spectra from CRIRES+ resulting in novel results regarding WASP107b. These packages allow for clearer analysis of a wider variety of planets and atmospheric components.