Spitzer Space Telescope - Theoretical Research Proposal #20366


Characterizing Hot Jupiter Transiting Extrasolar Planets with Spitzer
Data

Principal Investigator: Sara Seager
           Institution: Carnegie Institute of Washington

Co-Investigators: 
James Cho, Carnegie Institution of Washington                         
Brad Hansen, University of California at Los Angeles                  
Kristen Menou, Columbia University                                    

Science Category: extrasolar planets 
Dollars Approved: 55000.0 

Abstract:
The field of extrasolar planet characterization has taken a dramatic
step forward with the first direct detection of photons from an
extrasolar planet by Spitzer.  The flux decrement of the combined
light of the planet and star was detected during secondary eclipse of
the HD209458 system.  Together with the measured stellar flux, this
flux decrement gives a direct value for the planetary flux.  The
detection, made with MIPS at 24 microns, is at a wavelength several
times longer than the expected peak of the planetary thermal emission
(2 microns for a 1500K blackbody).  Therefore, radiative transfer and
atmospheric circulation models of the planetary atmosphere are
essential to properly interpret this and other Spitzer measurements of
extrasolar planets.  This proposal aims to interpret Spitzer data in
order to understand the atmospheres and physical characteristics of
HD209458b and other hot Jupiter transiting extrasolar planets.