JUPITER AS AN EXOPLANET: UV TO NIR TRANSMISSION SPECTRUM REVEALS HAZES, A Na LAYER, AND POSSIBLY STRATOSPHERIC H2O-ICE CLOUDS

DOI: 
10.1088/2041-8205/801/1/L8
Publication date: 
01/03/2015
Main author: 
Montanes-Rodriguez, Pilar
IAA authors: 
Lopez-Puertas, Manuel
Authors: 
Montanes-Rodriguez, Pilar; Gonzalez-Merino, B.; Palle, E.; Lopez-Puertas, Manuel; Garcia-Melendo, E.
Journal: 
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS
Publication type: 
Article
Volume: 
801
Pages: 
Number: 
L8
Abstract: 
Currently, the analysis of transmission spectra is the most successful technique to probe the chemical composition of exoplanet atmospheres. However, the accuracy of these measurements is constrained by observational limitations and the diversity of possible atmospheric compositions. Here, we show the UV-VIS-IR transmission spectrum of Jupiter as if it were a transiting exoplanet, obtained by observing one of its satellites, Ganymede, while passing through Jupiter's shadow, i.e., during a solar eclipse from Ganymede. The spectrum shows strong extinction due to the presence of clouds (aerosols) and haze in the atmosphere and strong absorption features from CH4. More interestingly, the comparison with radiative transfer models reveals a spectral signature, which we attribute here to a Jupiter stratospheric layer of crystalline H2O ice. The atomic transitions of Na are also present. These results are relevant for the modeling and interpretation of giant transiting exoplanets. They also open a new technique to explore the atmospheric composition of the upper layers of Jupiter's atmosphere.
Database: 
WOK
SCOPUS
SCOPUS
Keywords: 
eclipses; planets and satellites: atmospheres; planets and satellites: gaseous planets; planets and satellites: individual (Jupiter Ganymede)