Astronomy Seminar : Dr. Thaddeus Komacek
Abstract: The recent launch of JWST promises detailed characterization of hot gaseous exoplanets through emission and transmission spectroscopy observations. In this talk, I will discuss the current understanding of the atmospheric circulation of hot gaseous exoplanets ("hot Jupiters’’) as determined from interpreting astronomical observation with a combination of analytic theory and general circulation modeling. I will introduce the hottest gaseous exoplanets, "ultra-hot Jupiters,’’ as a novel extreme class of exoplanet characterized by thermal dissociation of molecules and patchy mineral cloud coverage. I will describe the current efforts to characterize the atmospheres of hot and ultra-hot Jupiters with JWST, along with potential avenues for further exploration.
Abstract:
The recent launch of JWST promises detailed characterization of hot gaseous exoplanets through emission and transmission spectroscopy observations. In this talk, I will discuss the current understanding of the atmospheric circulation of hot gaseous exoplanets ("hot Jupiters’’) as determined from interpreting astronomical observation with a combination of analytic theory and general circulation modeling. I will introduce the hottest gaseous exoplanets, "ultra-hot Jupiters,’’ as a novel extreme class of exoplanet characterized by thermal dissociation of molecules and patchy mineral cloud coverage. I will describe the current efforts to characterize the atmospheres of hot and ultra-hot Jupiters with JWST, along with potential avenues for further exploration.
Astronomy Seminars
Astronomy/Astrophysics seminars are held (roughly) weekly on Fridays at 2 pm (ET) on campus in Washington DC.
The seminar is fairly casual, and the audience is mostly astronomers, with some cosmochemists or geophysicists occasionally. The seminar will be hosted in a Hybrid format for Spring 2023.
Full Schedule
Exploring outer space to find distant planets and understand their origin.
Share your science
You can use this form to nominate speakers (or yourself) for a seminar slot. Note that if we receive more nominations than expected, the speakers will be selected through a vote by the Carnegie EPL Astronomy group.
Nomination Form
