Exoplanet Atmospheres Through the Eyes of JWST

Event Date:
2023-11-20T16:00:00
2023-11-20T17:00:00
Event Location:
HENN 318
Speaker:
Ryan MacDonald, U. Michigan
Related Upcoming Events:
Astronomy Colloquia
Intended Audience:
Undergraduate
Local Contact:

Brett Gladman (gladman@astro.ubc.ca)

*All are welcome to this event!

Event Information:

 

Abstract:

JWST is now delivering ultra-precise spectra of exoplanet atmospheres over a significantly wider wavelength range than afforded by previous observations. This exceptional improvement in data quality has opened new areas of atmospheric science to observational study that were previously out of reach.

I will summarize how we infer atmospheric properties of exoplanets from remote spectra and the profound ways in which JWST is transforming our knowledge of exoplanets. Next, I will outline several new frontiers in exoplanet atmospheric analyses enabled by JWST data. Finally, I will highlight the most significant discoveries from the first year of exoplanet atmosphere science with JWST.

 

Bio:

I am an astrophysicist and NASA Sagan Fellow researching exoplanet atmospheres at the University of Michigan. My research merges observational astronomy and theoretical models, with a particular emphasis on atmospheric retrieval techniques.

I am currently using observations from the world’s newest space observatory, JWST, to characterise exoplanet atmospheres.

 

Learn More:

  • See Ryan's U of Michigan Faculty webpage here
  • Learn about Ryan's research and more on his website: DistantWorlds.space
Add to Calendar 2023-11-20T16:00:00 2023-11-20T17:00:00 Exoplanet Atmospheres Through the Eyes of JWST Event Information:   Abstract: JWST is now delivering ultra-precise spectra of exoplanet atmospheres over a significantly wider wavelength range than afforded by previous observations. This exceptional improvement in data quality has opened new areas of atmospheric science to observational study that were previously out of reach. I will summarize how we infer atmospheric properties of exoplanets from remote spectra and the profound ways in which JWST is transforming our knowledge of exoplanets. Next, I will outline several new frontiers in exoplanet atmospheric analyses enabled by JWST data. Finally, I will highlight the most significant discoveries from the first year of exoplanet atmosphere science with JWST.   Bio: I am an astrophysicist and NASA Sagan Fellow researching exoplanet atmospheres at the University of Michigan. My research merges observational astronomy and theoretical models, with a particular emphasis on atmospheric retrieval techniques. I am currently using observations from the world’s newest space observatory, JWST, to characterise exoplanet atmospheres.   Learn More: See Ryan's U of Michigan Faculty webpage here Learn about Ryan's research and more on his website: DistantWorlds.space Event Location: HENN 318