Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Colloquium: Deep Reconnaissance of Exoplanet Atmospheres with JWST (and Beyond)

AST Colloquium
Deep Reconnaissance of Exoplanet Atmospheres with JWST (and Beyond)

Zoom Link here

Dr. Nikole Lewis
Associate Professor, Department of Astronomy
Cornell University

Abstract:
With JWST a new window into exoplanet atmospheres is now wide open. In this talk I will focus on key results from JWST Cycle 1 programs that aimed to perform “deep” observations of specific transiting exoplanet hosting systems to explore the physics and chemistry at work in these planetary atmospheres. The JWST Telescope Scientist Team (JWST-TST) used 133 of Cycle 1 guaranteed observing time to perform Deep Reconnaissance of Exoplanet Atmospheres through Multi-instrument Spectroscopy (DREAMS) on three archetypical planets: a hot Jupiter (WASP-17 b), a warm Neptune (HAT-P-26 b), and a temperate Earth (TRAPPIST-1e). Through both transmission and emission observations spanning 0.6-12 microns, the DREAMS survey has uncovered new and unexpected chemistry at work in these atmospheres and allowed us to explore their three-dimensional atmospheric structure. I will additionally discuss complementary observations of additional transiting exoplanet targets with JWST, such as HD189733b, and the expansion of our wavelength coverage on key targets into the ultraviolet with Hubble.

Bio:
Dr. Nikole Lewis is an Associate Professor of Astronomy at Cornell University. Dr. Lewis is involved with dozens observational campaigns with the former Spitzer and current Hubble and JWST Space Telescopes that aim to determine the nature of exoplanet atmospheres. She also develops a broad range of atmospheric models that are necessary for interpretation of current exoplanet observations. Before joining the faculty at Cornell, Dr. Lewis served as the JWST project scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute and was a Sagan Postdoctoral Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Intended Audience:
Beginners, undergraduates, graduates. Those with interest in the topic.