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SUMMARY:Molecular Spectroscopy for Exoplanet Atmospheres - Christina Hedge
 s (IoA)
DTSTART:20160511T150000Z
DTEND:20160511T160000Z
UID:TALK65067@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Dr B.-O. Demory
DESCRIPTION:Spectroscopic observations of exoplanets are leading to unprec
 edented constraints on their atmospheric chemical compositions. Molecular 
 abundances can be derived from atmospheric spectra using sophisticated mod
 els and retrieval methods. However these are degenerate with molecular abs
 orption cross-sections\, crucial inputs to atmospheric models. New\, high-
 temperature molecular transition line lists are now available and we are i
 n a position to investigate these inputs. In this talk I will address the 
 results of our recent paper on the effects of pressure broadening on molec
 ular absorption cross sections and the affect we anticipate on observation
 s of exoplanet atmospheres. This has included estimates of the uncertainti
 es in molecular cross sections which will directly impact abundance measur
 ements. I will discuss how the measurements across wide ranges of pressure
 \, temperature and resolution impact the accuracy of molecular cross secti
 ons\, particularly in the context of future instruments and exoplanet targ
 ets. We find that the effect of pressure broadening on molecular absorptio
 n cross-sections can be significant\, over 100%\, for high spectral resolu
 tions that can be obtained by present and upcoming instruments\, and espec
 ially for low temperature atmospheres.
LOCATION:Martin Ryle Seminar Room\, Kavli Institute
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