Caprice Phillips (Ohio State)

Date: Tue. November 1st, 2022, 11:30 am-12:30 pm
Location: On Zoom

Title: Exploring Potential Biosignatures in Exoplanet Atmospheres with Current and Future Telescopes

Abstract:  

Exoplanets with radii between those of Earth and Neptune (1.7 – 3.4 Earth radii) have stronger surface gravity than Earth, and can retain a  sizable hydrogen-dominated atmosphere. In contrast  to gas  giant planets, we call these planets gas dwarf planets. Furthermore,  terrestrial planets below the radius valley (< 1.5 Earth radii),  may also have the ability to hold onto hydrogen-dominated atmospheres. Generally, planets with hydrogen/helium dominated atmospheres may be more amenable targets for transmission spectroscopy with current and upcoming space-based missions. In this talk, I will discuss the investigation of the detectability of ammonia (NH3, a potential biosignature) in the atmospheres of hydrogen-dominated exoplanets with JWST and Twinkle. I will present results from recent work on simulating ammonia detectability on temperate gas dwarfs and terrestrial planets with JWST and Twinkle. I will demonstrate how varying atmospheric scenarios and conditions (e.g., cloud conditions, mean molecular weight, and NH3 mixing ratios) affect the ammonia detectability. Finally, I will show the potential of Twinkle to characterize the atmosphere of potentially habitable exoplanets.

ZOOM ID: 999 3023 4812, Passcode: PAsems

https://cwru.zoom.us/j/99930234812?pwd=a0tid3VOTzJHTkxBWnNjWmtsNmd5UT09