CFHT UM2025 - Presentation Details
Abstract Details
Title: Characterisation of the atmosphere of WASP-76b using SPIRou
Presenter: Thea Hood
Abstract:
The near-infrared spectropolarimeter SPIRou located at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope is one of the best for atmospheric characterisation of exoplanets from the ground, due to its properties and location. It observed WASP-76b following a reported and confirmed asymmetry in the limbs of its atmosphere, detected through observations in the visible (Ehrenreich et al. 2020). This led to extensive theoretical and observational work around this planet to understand its peculiarity. In acquiring infrared data of this atmosphere, different species and pressure layers are expected to be probed, which could reveal different temperature and dynamical profiles of the atmosphere. I will detail my study of the characterisation of the atmosphere of WASP-76b using SPIRou data and how it led to the detection of H2O and CO. Such detections open a new window into the understanding of the dynamics, physics and chemistry of WASP-76b, and new insight on ultra-hot planetary atmospheres.