ITC Seminar - Joe Llama (Lowell Observatory)

Date: 

Monday, April 1, 2019, 12:00pm to 1:00pm

Location: 

Phillips

Finding and characterizing the youngest exoplanets 

Abstract: Observing and characterizing newly-formed planets around young stars is fundamental for developing planet formation and evolution theory.  In this talk, I will present results of an infrared radial velocity survey with the primary goal of detecting exoplanets around the youngest stars using the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph (IGRINS) on Lowell Observatory's 4.3-m Discovery Channel Telescope (DCT). For one young planet, CI Tau b, I will present IGRINS observations where we have searched for the direct signatures of the planet itself, taking advantage of the large expected radial velocity variations of the planet as it orbits CI Tau. We find a tentative detection of CO absorption in this young exoplanet. The properties of the planet determined from this CO detection are consistent with those described in the discovery paper and favor "hot start" formation models. 

See also: Seminars, 2018 - 19