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Light from Exoplanets: Present and FutureMeasurements using the Spitzer Space Telescope have revealed thermal emission from planets orbiting very close to solar-type stars, primarily transiting "hot Jupiter" exoplanets. The thermal emission spectrum of these worlds has been measured by exploiting their secondary eclipse. Also, during transit of the planet, absorption signatures from atoms and molecules in the planet's atmosphere are imprinted onto the spectrum of the star. Results to date from transit and eclipse studies show that the hot Jupiters often have significant haze and cloud components in their atmospheres, and the temperature structure can often be inverted, i.e. temperature is rising with height. New and very strongly irradiated examples of hot Jupiters have been found that are being stripped of their atmospheres by tidal forces from the star. In parallel, transiting superEarth exoplanets are being discovered, and their atmospheres should also be amenable to study using transit techniques. The 2014 launch of the James Webb Space Telescope will clarify the physical nature of hot Jupiters, and will extend transit and eclipse studies to superEarths orbiting in the habitable zones of lower main sequence stars.
Document ID
20100003343
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Deming, Leo
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 20, 2010
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Science And Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Light from Exoplanets: Present and Future
Location: Pasadena, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: January 20, 2010
End Date: January 22, 2010
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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