Mireya Arora
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Research Mentor(s): Hayley Beltz
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Astronomy / LSA
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 5 – 3:40pm – 4:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Mireya Arora, Hayley Beltz, Emily Rauscher
Presenter: 20
Abstract
A large part of studying exoplanets involves detecting and analyzing their spectra to detect elements and compounds (referred to as atmospheric species) that makeup the atmosphere of the planet. By observing a series of emission and absorption lines, we can compare their shapes and intensity to spectra produced by atmospheric models. If the observed data and models match strongly, we know that the species is present in the exoplanet atmosphere. This project uses High Resolution Spectroscopy (HRS) which resolves spectral features of species to a dense series of lines. To ensure astronomers collect the data they desire with telescopes, they need to know which species are present at the wavelengths of their instruments. In this study, I used simulated data of what an exoplanet’s emission spectra would look like with and without 6 species. I worked with a 1D model of WASP-76b, an ultra-hot Jupiter, for this project. With this, I isolated the features of each species and then combined them to create a figure showing the expected spectral features for 6 species in the 0.95-5.5 micron wavelength range. Taking this work a step further by utilizing 3D models, with more detailed measurements it is possible to look at spectra from the planet throughout its orbit around its host star (also described as different phases of orbit). By comparing the spectra at different phases, I created a plot showing the relation between phase and amount of emission or absorption in the spectrum — which varies based on the temperature structure of the planet. This project helps astronomers get a better understanding of emission spectra from ultra-hot Jupiters they should expect to receive from an exoplanet, and how it varies with phase.
Interdisciplinary, Physical Sciences
