Program: GS-2014B-Q-45

Title:Comparative Exoplanetology of Hot-Jupiter Prototypes (South)
PI:Jean-Michel Desert
Co-I(s): Jonathan Fortney, Jacob Bean, Marcel Bergmann, Sara Seager, Andreas Seifahrt, Drake Deming

Abstract

We propose to initiate a comparative exoplanetology survey of the atmospheres of ten close-in gas giant transiting exoplanets which are representative of their class. The purpose of this project is to understand the nature, diversity, and origins of exoplanetary systems. We will observe an ensemble of ten prototypes of hot gas giants with GeminiNS-GMOS using a robust technique for obtaining space-telescope quality exoplanet transit spectroscopy from the ground. We will obtain transmission spectra of their atmospheres in the visible at high photometric precision. When compared to atmospheric models, these precise observations will reveal the presence and abundances of chemical species in the planets' atmospheres. We will conduct a comparative study of the composition of these planets, and correlate our results with the planetary and stellar physical properties. Our project will be complementary and will expand other surveys of gas-giant exoplanets that use ground and space-based facilities (with HST, Spitzer, and Magellan).

Publications using this program's data