The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere

We present an investigation of the transmission spectrum of the 6.5 M ? planet GJ?1214b based on new ground-based observations of transits of the planet in the optical and near-infrared, and on previously published data. Observations with the VLT + FORS and Magellan + MMIRS using the technique of mu...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bean, J., Desert, J., Kabath, P., Stalder, B., Seager, S., Miller-Ricci Kempton, E., Berta, Z., Homeier, D., Walsh, S., Seifahrt, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Institute of Physics Publishing, Inc. 2011
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33677
_version_ 1848754013860790272
author Bean, J.
Desert, J.
Kabath, P.
Stalder, B.
Seager, S.
Miller-Ricci Kempton, E.
Berta, Z.
Homeier, D.
Walsh, S.
Seifahrt, A.
author_facet Bean, J.
Desert, J.
Kabath, P.
Stalder, B.
Seager, S.
Miller-Ricci Kempton, E.
Berta, Z.
Homeier, D.
Walsh, S.
Seifahrt, A.
author_sort Bean, J.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description We present an investigation of the transmission spectrum of the 6.5 M ? planet GJ?1214b based on new ground-based observations of transits of the planet in the optical and near-infrared, and on previously published data. Observations with the VLT + FORS and Magellan + MMIRS using the technique of multi-object spectroscopy with wide slits yielded new measurements of the planet's transmission spectrum from 0.61 to 0.85 ?m, and in the J, H, and K atmospheric windows. We also present a new measurement based on narrow-band photometry centered at 2.09 ?m with the VLT + HAWKI. We combined these data with results from a reanalysis of previously published FORS data from 0.78 to 1.00 ?m using an improved data reduction algorithm, and previously reported values based on Spitzer data at 3.6 and 4.5 ?m. All of the data are consistent with a featureless transmission spectrum for the planet. Our K-band data are inconsistent with the detection of spectral features at these wavelengths reported by Croll and collaborators at the level of 4.1?. The planet's atmosphere must either have at least 70% H2O by mass or optically thick high-altitude clouds or haze to be consistent with the data.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T08:33:40Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-33677
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T08:33:40Z
publishDate 2011
publisher Institute of Physics Publishing, Inc.
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-336772023-02-22T06:24:24Z The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere Bean, J. Desert, J. Kabath, P. Stalder, B. Seager, S. Miller-Ricci Kempton, E. Berta, Z. Homeier, D. Walsh, S. Seifahrt, A. We present an investigation of the transmission spectrum of the 6.5 M ? planet GJ?1214b based on new ground-based observations of transits of the planet in the optical and near-infrared, and on previously published data. Observations with the VLT + FORS and Magellan + MMIRS using the technique of multi-object spectroscopy with wide slits yielded new measurements of the planet's transmission spectrum from 0.61 to 0.85 ?m, and in the J, H, and K atmospheric windows. We also present a new measurement based on narrow-band photometry centered at 2.09 ?m with the VLT + HAWKI. We combined these data with results from a reanalysis of previously published FORS data from 0.78 to 1.00 ?m using an improved data reduction algorithm, and previously reported values based on Spitzer data at 3.6 and 4.5 ?m. All of the data are consistent with a featureless transmission spectrum for the planet. Our K-band data are inconsistent with the detection of spectral features at these wavelengths reported by Croll and collaborators at the level of 4.1?. The planet's atmosphere must either have at least 70% H2O by mass or optically thick high-altitude clouds or haze to be consistent with the data. 2011 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33677 10.1088/0004-637X/743/1/92 Institute of Physics Publishing, Inc. unknown
spellingShingle Bean, J.
Desert, J.
Kabath, P.
Stalder, B.
Seager, S.
Miller-Ricci Kempton, E.
Berta, Z.
Homeier, D.
Walsh, S.
Seifahrt, A.
The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere
title The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere
title_full The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere
title_fullStr The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere
title_full_unstemmed The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere
title_short The optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth GJ1214b: Further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere
title_sort optical and near-infrared transmission spectrum of the super-earth gj1214b: further evidence for a metal-rich atmosphere
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/33677