Astronomy Colloquium

Characterizing exoplanet atmospheres and protostellar mass flows with JWST

Tom Greene, Research Professor of Astronomy; Executive Director IPAC, Caltech,

Abstract:

JWST spectra are revealing much about the chemical compositions, disequilibrium chemistry, thermal structures, cloud properties, and energy transport in exoplanet atmospheres. I will illustrate some progress with results from the JWST MANATEE guaranteed time observations of warm (less than 1000 K) transiting planets ranging from Earth-to-Saturn masses. These include searching for atmospheres of Earth-sized planets orbiting the TRAPPIST-1 M dwarf, using molecular features to constrain the core and internal heat of a Neptune-mass planet, the compositions of mini-Neptune planets (unlike any in our Solar System), spatial inhomogeneities on planets' day and night sides, and investigating planet formation pathways. I will also present some recent results showing how the youngest protostars (Class 0) accrete and eject mass as they progress toward accumulating their final masses.

For more information, please contact Philip Hopkins by email at [email protected] or visit https://www.astro.caltech.edu.

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