Characterizing the Diversity of Extrasolar Atmospheres: From Planets to Brown Dwarfs
When
Where
Dr. Michael Line
Assistant Professor
Arizona State University
The spectra of extrasolar objects (both planetary and substellar) offer a window into the physical and chemical processes occurring in their atmospheres. I will discuss what we have learned about the fundamental properties of the atmospheres of brown dwarfs and extra-solar planets derived from powerful atmospheric retrieval techniques. A joint understanding of the chemistry and physics in both brown dwarfs and extra-solar planets is required in order to determine the fundamental differences between them. I will first discuss the properties we can derive from low resolution spectra of ultra-cool brown dwarfs, including their vertical thermal structures, chemistry, and elemental abundances. Then I will discuss what we have learned from the limited data from extra-solar planet atmospheres and how future missions will enlighten our understanding.
Host: Dr. Travis Barman