Astronomy Colloquium

Abstract:

JWST spectra are revealing much about the chemical compositions, disequilibrium chemistry, thermal structures, cloud properties, and energy transport in exoplanet atmospheres. I will illustrate some progress with results from the JWST MANATEE guaranteed time observations of warm (less than 1000 K) transiting planets ranging from Earth-to-Saturn masses. These include searching for atmospheres of Earth-sized planets orbiting the TRAPPIST-1 M dwarf, using molecular features to constrain the core and internal heat of a Neptune-mass planet, the compositions of mini-Neptune planets (unlike any in our Solar System), spatial inhomogeneities on planets' day and night sides, and investigating planet formation pathways. I will also present some recent results showing how the youngest protostars (Class 0) accrete and eject mass as they progress toward accumulating their final masses.