Exploring exoplanet atmospheres
Investigate the atmospheres of planets outside our solar system, then make a pitch for what exoplanet spectra you’d like to capture with the James Webb Space Telescope.WASP-17b Case Study: How does real exoplanet spectral data compare to predicted models?
Spectrum Tool. The top panel shows the transmission spectrum, captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, of a Hot Jupiter named WASP-17b. The bottom panel shows the predicted model transmission spectrum for a Clear Hot Jupiter.
How do these spectra compare? Use the comparison dropdown menu to view different exoplanet models and different atoms and molecules. Can you draw any conclusions about what’s in the atmosphere of WASP-17b?
Spectrum Notebook. Go to the Challenge 1. WASP-17b Case Study section and answer the following questions:
- Note that both spectra are set to “Scatter Plot” mode with the data points unconnected by lines. How would you compare the resolution (number of data points per wavelength interval) of the real data compared to the model? Explain how this might affect your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from the data.
- Turn the “Line Chart” option on and use the dropdown menu in the bottom chart to identify any atomic or molecular absorption features (the “Atmospheric Chemistry” of WASP-17b); and the Exoplanet Model (the “Weather” prediction) that provides the best fit to the WASP-17b data. The chart in your Notebook shows a potential analysis of the WASP-17b spectrum. Explain why you would agree or disagree with this analysis, using specific examples from the Comparison Atoms and Molecules and the Comparison Exoplanet Models.
- The chart in your notebook shows a potential analysis of the WASP-17b spectrum. Explain why you would agree or disagree with this analysis, using specific examples from the Atoms and Molecules and Exoplanet Model spectra.
Source 1:
Exoplanets — WASP-17b
Brightness 
Wavelength (Microns) Source 2:
Brightness Wavelength (Microns)