Abstract
Spectral retrieval has proven to be a powerful tool for constraining the physical properties and atmospheric compositions of extrasolar planet atmospheres based on observed spectra, primarily for transiting objects but also for directly imaged planets and brown dwarfs. Despite its strengths, this approach has been applied to only about a dozen targets. Determining the abundances of the main carbon- and oxygen-bearing compounds in a planetary atmosphere can lead to the C/O ratio of the object, which is crucial for understanding its formation and migration history. We present a retrieval analysis of the published near-infrared spectrum of b, a directly imaged substellar companion to a young B9 star. We fit the emission spectrum model utilizing a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We estimate the abundance of water vapor, and its uncertainty, in the atmosphere of the object. In addition, we place an upper limit on the abundance of CH4. We qualitatively compare our results with studies that have applied model retrieval on multiband photometry and emission spectroscopy of hot Jupiters (extrasolar giant planets with orbital periods of several days) and the directly imaged giant planet HR 8799b.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 14 |
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 823 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 20 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- methods: data analysis
- planetary systems
- planets and satellites: gaseous planets
- planets and satellites: individual (k And b)
- techniques: spectroscopic
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Cite this
THE WATER ABUNDANCE of the DIRECTLY IMAGED SUBSTELLAR COMPANION κ and b RETRIEVED from A NEAR INFRARED SPECTRUM. / Todorov, Kamen O.; Line, Michael; Pineda, Jaime E.; Meyer, Michael R.; Quanz, Sascha P.; Hinkley, Sasha; Fortney, Jonathan J.
In: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 823, No. 1, 14, 20.05.2016.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - THE WATER ABUNDANCE of the DIRECTLY IMAGED SUBSTELLAR COMPANION κ and b RETRIEVED from A NEAR INFRARED SPECTRUM
AU - Todorov, Kamen O.
AU - Line, Michael
AU - Pineda, Jaime E.
AU - Meyer, Michael R.
AU - Quanz, Sascha P.
AU - Hinkley, Sasha
AU - Fortney, Jonathan J.
PY - 2016/5/20
Y1 - 2016/5/20
N2 - Spectral retrieval has proven to be a powerful tool for constraining the physical properties and atmospheric compositions of extrasolar planet atmospheres based on observed spectra, primarily for transiting objects but also for directly imaged planets and brown dwarfs. Despite its strengths, this approach has been applied to only about a dozen targets. Determining the abundances of the main carbon- and oxygen-bearing compounds in a planetary atmosphere can lead to the C/O ratio of the object, which is crucial for understanding its formation and migration history. We present a retrieval analysis of the published near-infrared spectrum of b, a directly imaged substellar companion to a young B9 star. We fit the emission spectrum model utilizing a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We estimate the abundance of water vapor, and its uncertainty, in the atmosphere of the object. In addition, we place an upper limit on the abundance of CH4. We qualitatively compare our results with studies that have applied model retrieval on multiband photometry and emission spectroscopy of hot Jupiters (extrasolar giant planets with orbital periods of several days) and the directly imaged giant planet HR 8799b.
AB - Spectral retrieval has proven to be a powerful tool for constraining the physical properties and atmospheric compositions of extrasolar planet atmospheres based on observed spectra, primarily for transiting objects but also for directly imaged planets and brown dwarfs. Despite its strengths, this approach has been applied to only about a dozen targets. Determining the abundances of the main carbon- and oxygen-bearing compounds in a planetary atmosphere can lead to the C/O ratio of the object, which is crucial for understanding its formation and migration history. We present a retrieval analysis of the published near-infrared spectrum of b, a directly imaged substellar companion to a young B9 star. We fit the emission spectrum model utilizing a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We estimate the abundance of water vapor, and its uncertainty, in the atmosphere of the object. In addition, we place an upper limit on the abundance of CH4. We qualitatively compare our results with studies that have applied model retrieval on multiband photometry and emission spectroscopy of hot Jupiters (extrasolar giant planets with orbital periods of several days) and the directly imaged giant planet HR 8799b.
KW - methods: data analysis
KW - planetary systems
KW - planets and satellites: gaseous planets
KW - planets and satellites: individual (k And b)
KW - techniques: spectroscopic
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84971538916&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84971538916&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3847/0004-637X/823/1/14
DO - 10.3847/0004-637X/823/1/14
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84971538916
VL - 823
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
SN - 0004-637X
IS - 1
M1 - 14
ER -