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Molecular cross-sections for high-resolution spectroscopy of super-Earths, warm Neptunes, and hot Jupiters

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Gandhi, S 
Brogi, M 
Yurchenko, SN 
Tennyson, J 
Coles, PA 

Abstract

High resolution spectroscopy (HRS) has been used to detect a number of species in the atmospheres of hot Jupiters. Key to such detections is accurately and precisely modelled spectra for cross-correlation against the R$\gtrsim20,000observations.Thereisaneedforthelatestgenerationofopacitieswhichformthebasisforhighsignaltonoisedetectionsusingsuchspectra.Inthisstudywepresentandmakepubliclyavailablecrosssectionsforsixmolecularspecies,H_2O,CO,HCN,CH_4,NH_3$ and CO2 using the latest line lists most suitable for low- and high-resolution spectroscopy. We focus on the infrared (0.95-5~μm) and between 500-1500~K where these species have strong spectral signatures. We generate these cross sections on a grid of pressures and temperatures typical for the photospheres of super Earth, warm Neptunes and hot Jupiters using the latest H2 and He pressure broadening. We highlight the most prominent infrared spectral features by modelling three representative exoplanets, GJ~1214~b, GJ~3470~b and HD~189733~b, which encompass a wide range in temperature, mass and radii. In addition, we verify the line lists for H2O, CO and HCN with previous high resolution observations of hot Jupiters. However, we are unable to detect CH4 with our new cross sections from HRS observations of HD~102195~b. These high accuracy opacities are critical for atmospheric detections with HRS and will be continually updated as new data becomes available.

Description

Keywords

radiative transfer, methods: data analysis, planets and satellites: atmospheres

Journal Title

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0035-8711
1365-2966

Volume Title

495

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Rights

All rights reserved
Sponsorship
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/N000927/1)
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/R000476/1)