Transiting exoplanet characterization with JWST/NIRSpec

Program leads: Stephan Birkmann (ESA) and J. Valenti (STScI)

Program duration: 49 hours

JWST will revolutionize the study of exoplanet atmospheres by virtue of broader wavelength coverage, higher spectral resolution, better sensitivity, and longer uninterrupted observing time than existing facilities. Observable characteristics of exoplanets from primary and secondary eclipses, as well as phase curve observations, include: atmospheric composition probed by the presence and relative strength of spectral lines from different species; vertical thermal structure diagnosed by the relative strength of spectral lines of the same species formed at different pressures/heights in the atmosphere; formation of clouds and/or hazes revealed by the strength of line features relative to the continuum; and transverse heat redistribution and winds probed by the relative brightness at different orbital phases. We will use JWST/NIRSpec to execute three programs looking at different categories of planets and performing different types of investigations:

  • attempting to detect molecular features in a super-Earth by taking spectra over the 2.9-5.2 micron wavelength range;
  • obtaining a full phase curve of a hot Jupiter with high spectral resolution in the 2.9-5.2 micron wavelength range;
  • taking a first NIRSpec look at the diversity of giant planets through a case study of two planets

Observations and targets:

L98-59d

#1224

1 transit in the G395H/F290LP configuration. Exposure duration of ~3.7 hours corresponding to a sequence of 2121 successive integrations.

WASP-43b

#1224

1 full phase curve observation in the G395H/F290LP configuration. Exposure duration of ~23.7 hours corresponding to a sequence of successive 4498 integrations

WASP-107b

#1224

1 transit in the G395H/F290LP configuration. Exposure duration of ~6.5 hours corresponding to a sequence of 1230 successive integrations.

WASP-52b

#1224

1 secondary eclipse in the CLEAR/PRISM configuration. Exposure duration of ~4.8 hours corresponding to a sequence of 29096 successive integrations.