ITC Colloquium - Ryan MacDonald (Michigan)
Date and Time
January 26, 2023
11:00AM - 12:00PM EST
Location
Phillips (and streamed:https://youtu.be/iZ2gq5hBDcc)
"Exoplanet Atmospheric Retrieval in the Era of JWST"
JWST is now delivering ultra-precise spectra of exoplanet atmospheres over a significantly wider wavelength range than afforded by previous observations. This exceptional improvement in data quality will soon address atmospheric science questions that were previously out of reach. Converting an observed spectrum into statistical constraints on atmospheric properties - such as the chemical composition - relies on a Bayesian computational technique known as atmospheric retrieval.
I will summarize our current knowledge of the atmospheric composition of transiting exoplanets and offer a primer on how retrieval algorithms work. Next, I will outline several new frontiers in exoplanet atmospheric analyses enabled by JWST data. Finally, I will offer a preview of upcoming retrieval results from the several JWST exoplanet programs.
JWST is now delivering ultra-precise spectra of exoplanet atmospheres over a significantly wider wavelength range than afforded by previous observations. This exceptional improvement in data quality will soon address atmospheric science questions that were previously out of reach. Converting an observed spectrum into statistical constraints on atmospheric properties - such as the chemical composition - relies on a Bayesian computational technique known as atmospheric retrieval.
I will summarize our current knowledge of the atmospheric composition of transiting exoplanets and offer a primer on how retrieval algorithms work. Next, I will outline several new frontiers in exoplanet atmospheric analyses enabled by JWST data. Finally, I will offer a preview of upcoming retrieval results from the several JWST exoplanet programs.