Higher-order atmospheric effects in the optical occultations and phase curves of exoplanets

• Applicant: Dr. Antonio García Muñoz, Ph.D.
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2017 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 362153359

Exoplanet science is rapidly progressing from detection of planets towards the characterization of their atmospheres and surfaces. The occultation and phase curve of an exoplanet provides key information on the planet envelope. In the proposed research project, we will investigate: 1) the potential of exoplanet occultations and phase curves at optical wavelengths for the characterization of exoplanet atmospheres; 2) how optical and infrared observations of occultations and phase curves complement each other. Our investigation will assess the joint impact of both atmospheric and non-atmospheric effects on the measurements, and our capacity to subsequently disentangle these effects. This timely effort will help maximize the diagnostics capacities of the broadband optical photometric measurements to be delivered by a few space missions within the upcoming decade.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1992: Exploring the diversity of extrasolar planets
• International Connection: Portugal
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Juan Cabrera; Dr. Szilárd Csizmadia, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Nuno Santos