Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ExoplANETS A (Exoplanet Athmosphere New Emission Transmission Spectra Analysis)
Reporting period: 2019-01-01 to 2021-03-31
The last twenty years have witnessed an exceptionally fast development in the field of extra-solar planets research. The known extra-solar planets (or exoplanets), numbering at around 5000 to date, already show how diverse planets in our galaxy can be. While the search for exoplanets is an important ongoing field of activity, the characterization of their atmosphere has just begun and it is developing very rapidly. A lot can be learned from spectroscopic observations of an exoplanet atmosphere; the molecular composition of giant exoplanet atmospheres can trace the planet's formation and evolution; the atmosphere of rocky exoplanets can host bio-signature gases. However getting information about the exoplanet atmosphere is challenging because the signal is most often masked by instrumental and telescope systematic noises.
The overall objectives of the ExoplANETS_A project are :
- To establish new knowledge on the atmosphere of exoplanets by exploiting archived space data (HST, Spitzer, Kepler).
- To establish new insight on the influence of the star on the planet atmosphere.
- To disseminate knowledge.
The overall objectives of the ExoplANETS_A project are :
- To establish new knowledge on the atmosphere of exoplanets by exploiting archived space data (HST, Spitzer, Kepler).
- To establish new insight on the influence of the star on the planet atmosphere.
- To disseminate knowledge.
During the ExoplANETS_A project we have developed novel data calibration and spectral extraction tools, as well as novel retrieval tools, to exploit archival data from ESA and NASA Space Science Archives (Spitzer, HST) and produce a homogeneous and reliable characterization of exoplanet atmospheres. Additionally, to model successfully the atmosphere of an exoplanet, it is necessary to have a sound knowledge of the host star. To this end, we have created a coherent and uniform database of the relevant properties of host stars based on data collected from ESA Space Science archives (XMM, Gaia, ...) combined with data from international space missions and ground-based observatories. These exoplanet and host-star catalogues have been accompanied/interpreted with models to assess the importance of star – planet interactions. The knowledge gained from this project has been disseminated through peer-review publications and modelling tools have been publicly released through our knowledge server (https://www.explore-exoplanets.eu/).
The project has produced results beyond the state-of-the art, especially in terms of tools and methods to disentangle the exoplanet signal from systematic instrumental noise and to retrieve the exoplanet atmosphere parameters from the reduced data. The catalogue about host star properties is the most complete and homogeneous one. A quantitative assessment of the physical parameters which characterize the star – planet interactions has been done for the first time. Results have been publishedn in peer reviewed journals.
The science results from the data-sets and state-of-the art techniques produced in this project will enable Europe to be at the forefront of exoplanet atmosphere science for the years to come. It provide the European science community with the means to exploit the observations of exoplanet atmospheres with the James Webb Space Telescope mission. The project is also of high value to prepare for the scientific exploitation of the Ariel mission, which has been selected in March 2018 as the ESA M4 mission to be launched in 2028. This mission is entirely devoted to the study of exoplanet atmospheres and, for the first time, will allow for statistical significant studies of the atmospheres of about 1000 exoplanets.
The science products of the project are freely available to the scientific community.
The project has participated in attracting the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers; the EU future economy and competitiveness depends on strong science and engineering sectors. The promotion of observational and space sciences is crucial to inspire development of the next generation of scientists and engineers. Extrasolar planets are today one of the most exciting and trendy subjects, inspiring young people to take up the (physical) sciences in later studies and in their careers. Our knowledge server provides the general public and students with a broad overview of what is Science, how it is achieved and what Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge it might require.
The discovery of about 5000 extra-solar planets in the last couple of decades is one of the most exciting developments of modern astronomy. It resonates enormously with a public that has already shown to have high interest levels in the exploration of the diverse worlds of our own Solar System, and an insatiable hunger for news about space exploration. It directly addresses deep philosophical issues that concern our fellow citizens: What are other worlds like? How do they form and evolve? Are we alone in the universe? Public outreach to keep on engaging our fellow citizens with the excitement of exoplanets research has been an important part of the project.
The science results from the data-sets and state-of-the art techniques produced in this project will enable Europe to be at the forefront of exoplanet atmosphere science for the years to come. It provide the European science community with the means to exploit the observations of exoplanet atmospheres with the James Webb Space Telescope mission. The project is also of high value to prepare for the scientific exploitation of the Ariel mission, which has been selected in March 2018 as the ESA M4 mission to be launched in 2028. This mission is entirely devoted to the study of exoplanet atmospheres and, for the first time, will allow for statistical significant studies of the atmospheres of about 1000 exoplanets.
The science products of the project are freely available to the scientific community.
The project has participated in attracting the Next Generation of Scientists and Engineers; the EU future economy and competitiveness depends on strong science and engineering sectors. The promotion of observational and space sciences is crucial to inspire development of the next generation of scientists and engineers. Extrasolar planets are today one of the most exciting and trendy subjects, inspiring young people to take up the (physical) sciences in later studies and in their careers. Our knowledge server provides the general public and students with a broad overview of what is Science, how it is achieved and what Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) knowledge it might require.
The discovery of about 5000 extra-solar planets in the last couple of decades is one of the most exciting developments of modern astronomy. It resonates enormously with a public that has already shown to have high interest levels in the exploration of the diverse worlds of our own Solar System, and an insatiable hunger for news about space exploration. It directly addresses deep philosophical issues that concern our fellow citizens: What are other worlds like? How do they form and evolve? Are we alone in the universe? Public outreach to keep on engaging our fellow citizens with the excitement of exoplanets research has been an important part of the project.