Observations of Extrasolar Planets During the non-Cryogenic Spitzer Space Telescope Mission

Abstract

Abstract. Precision infrared photometry from Spitzer has enabled the first direct studies of light from extrasolar planets, via observations at secondary eclipse in transiting systems. Current Spitzer results include the first longitudinal temperature map of an extrasolar planet, and the first spectra of their atmospheres. Spitzer has also measured a temperature and precise radius for the first transiting Neptune-sized exoplanet, and is beginning to make precise transit timing measurements to infer the existence of unseen low mass planets. The lack of stellar limb darkening in the infrared facilitates precise radius and transit timing measurements of transiting planets. Warm Spitzer will be capable of a precise radius measurement for Earth-sized planets transiting nearby M-dwarfs, thereby constraining their bulk composition. It will continue to measure thermal emission at secondary eclipse for transiting hot Jupiters, and be able to distinguish between planets having broad band emission vs. absorption spectra. It will also be able to measure the orbital phase variation of thermal emission for close-in planets, even non-transiting planets, and these measurements will be of special interest for planets in eccentric orbits. Warm Spitzer will be a significant complement to Kepler, particularly as regards transit timing in the Kepler field. In addition to studying close-in planets. Warm Spitzer will have significant application in sensitive imaging searches for young planets at relatively large angular separations from their parent stars.

The Broadband Infrared Emission Spectrum of the Exoplanet HD 189733b

“…Numerous ongoing programs promise additional exciting results to come. Although Spitzer will exhaust its cryogen in the spring of 2009, two photometric channels will continue to operate at full strength and will provide a singular window into the atmospheres of these distant worlds (Deming et al 2007c), if the warm phase of the Spitzer Mission is approved. Each of the techniques described above is facilitated for large planets that orbit nearby, bright stars at small orbital separations.…”

Inverting Phase Curves to Map Exoplanets

“…For example, if a phase function is only obtained for half of a planetary orbit, the uncertainty in the map is no greater for the hemisphere which was not well observed. Fortunately, Warm Spitzer's propensity for longer observing campaigns will be perfectly suited for obtaining full phase curves (Deming et al 2007).…”

Emergent Exoplanet Flux: Review of the Spitzer Results

“…This favors relatively large programs, and exoplanet transit and eclipse science is poised to take full advantage of Warm Spitzer. A 'not-yet-obsolete' discussion of some possible exoplanet applications is given in Deming et al (2007b).…”