2017A&A...600A.138C -
Astronomy and Astrophysics, volume 600A, 138-138 (2017/4-1)
The GTC exoplanet transit spectroscopy survey. V. A spectrally-resolved Rayleigh scattering slope in GJ 3470b.
CHEN G., GUENTHER E.W., PALLE E., NORTMANN L., NOWAK G., KUNZ S., PARVIAINEN H. and MURGAS F.
Abstract (from CDS):
Aims. As a sub-Uranus-mass low-density planet, GJ 3470b has been found to show a flat featureless transmission spectrum in the infrared and a tentative Rayleigh scattering slope in the optical. We conducted an optical transmission spectroscopy project to assess the impacts of stellar activity and to determine whether or not GJ 3470b hosts a hydrogen-rich gas envelop.
Methods. We observed three transits with the low-resolution Optical System for Imaging and low-Intermediate-Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy (OSIRIS) at the 10.4m Gran Telescopio Canarias, and one transit with the high-resolution Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) at the 8.2m Very Large Telescope.
Results. From the high-resolution data, we find that the difference of the CaII H+K lines in- and out-of-transit is only 0.67±0.22%, and determine a magnetic filling factor of about 10-15%. From the low-resolution data, we present the first optical transmission spectrum in the 435-755nm band, which shows a slope consistent with Rayleigh scattering.
Conclusions. After exploring the potential impacts of stellar activity in our observations, we confirm that Rayleigh scattering in an extended hydrogen-helium atmosphere is currently the best explanation. Further high-precision observations that simultaneously cover optical and infrared bands are required to answer whether or not clouds and hazes exist at high-altitude.
Abstract Copyright:
© ESO, 2017
Journal keyword(s):
planetary systems - planets and satellites: individual: GJ 3470b - planets and satellites: atmospheres - techniques: spectroscopic - techniques: spectroscopic
CDS comments:
Paragraph 4.1 : V105 Or not identified, probable misprint.
Simbad objects:
12
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