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Inhomogeneous terminators on the exoplanet WASP-39 b.

Néstor Espinoza1,2, Maria E Steinrueck3,4, James Kirk5

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|July 15, 2024
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to capture distinct morning and evening transmission spectra of the exoplanet WASP-39 b. This reveals the planet's atmosphere is not uniform, with the evening side being hotter and clearer than the morning side.

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Area of Science:

  • Exoplanetary science
  • Atmospheric physics
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Transmission spectroscopy is a key technique for studying exoplanet atmospheres.
  • A common assumption is atmospheric homogeneity, particularly in the terminator region.
  • Previous studies suggested atmospheric inhomogeneity in hot gas giants, but direct spectral evidence was lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate atmospheric inhomogeneity on the exoplanet WASP-39 b.
  • To obtain and compare morning and evening transmission spectra of WASP-39 b.
  • To test the assumption of a homogeneous terminator region in exoplanet atmospheres.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) for near-infrared observations.
  • Acquiring high-precision transmission spectra of WASP-39 b during transits.
  • Analyzing orbital parameters and comparing spectral features between morning and evening terminators.

Main Results:

  • Detection of significant differences between morning and evening transmission spectra.
  • Observed larger transit depths on the evening terminator (405 ± 88 ppm greater).
  • Evening terminator is modeled to be hotter than the morning terminator by 177+65-57 K, with solar C/O ratios.

Conclusions:

  • The exoplanet WASP-39 b exhibits an inhomogeneous atmosphere.
  • The evening terminator is hotter, clearer, and shows larger spectral features than the morning terminator.
  • General circulation models support these findings, indicating a cloudy morning and clearer evening side.