2003/05/19 by S. Seager
Physics and Astronomy · #astro-ph
published as Scientific Frontiers on Research in Extrasolar Planets, ASP Conf Ser., eds. D. Deming and S. Seager, 2003, 294, 457-465 · 9 pages, Scientific Frontiers on Research in Extrasolar Planets, ASP Conf Ser., eds. D. Deming and S. Seager
arxiv created 2003/05/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) detection of an extrasolar planet atmosphere in 2001 was a landmark step forward for the characterization of extrasolar planets. HST detected the trace element sodium, via the neutral atomic resonance doublet at 593 nm, in the transiting extrasolar giant planet HD209458b. In this paper I discuss the significance of this first ever extrasolar planet atmosphere detection. I explain how the sodium measurement can be used as a constraint on HD209458b atmosphere models and review recent interpretations of the lower-than-expected sodium line strength.