Description
- Abstract:
- Planetary atmospheres are governed by a complex interplay of chemical, radiative, and advective processes that yield an inherently three dimensional structure. Probing the three dimensional nature of exoplanet atmospheres is challenging without the capability to spatially resolve them. Here I present the results of applying a multi-dimensional approach to the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres utilizing a broad range of observational techniques and theoretical frameworks to explore the atmospheric composition and structure of transiting exoplanets. Each analysis was performed with an emphasis on ensuring robustness of scientific results by applying multiple methodologies and engaging a diverse cross sections of the community in collaboration. I present a set of Spitzer secondary eclipse observations of five different planets, anlayzed with several of the most common methods of intrapixel sensitvity correction to investigate the performance of each technique while also probing albedo and recirculation. I also present a community analysis of an HST Wide Field Camera 3 spectroscopic transit of WASP-63b probing chemical composition and providing evidence of possible disequilibirum chemistry. Finally, I discuss the analysis of a set of multi-epoch Spitzer secondary eclipse observations and phase curves of the canonical hot jupiters HD 209458b and HD 189733b at both 3.6 and 4.5 microns probing temporal variations in eclipse depth while also providing the first three dimensional thermal map of an exoplanet atmosphere.
- Notes:
- Thesis (Ph. D.)--Brown University, 2019
Access Conditions
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- In Copyright
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Citation
Kilpatrick, Brian Michael,
"A Multi-Dimensional Approach to the Characterization of Exoplanetary Atmospheres"
(2019).
Physics Theses and Dissertations.
Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library.
https://doi.org/10.26300/6key-b549
