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Phase curve and geometric albedo of WASP-43b measured with CHEOPS, TESS, and HST WFC3/UVIS

Scandariato, G. ; Davies, M.B. LU and Walton, N. (2022) In Astronomy and Astrophysics 668.
Abstract
Context. Observations of the phase curves and secondary eclipses of extrasolar planets provide a window onto the composition and thermal structure of the planetary atmospheres. For example, the photometric observations of secondary eclipses lead to the measurement of the planetary geometric albedo, Ag, which is an indicator of the presence of clouds in the atmosphere. Aims. In this work, we aim to measure the Ag in the optical domain of WASP-43b, a moderately irradiated giant planet with an equilibrium temperature of ~1400 K. Methods. For this purpose, we analyzed the secondary eclipse light curves collected by CHEOPS together with TESS along with observations of the system and the publicly available photometry obtained with HST WFC3/UVIS.... (More)
Context. Observations of the phase curves and secondary eclipses of extrasolar planets provide a window onto the composition and thermal structure of the planetary atmospheres. For example, the photometric observations of secondary eclipses lead to the measurement of the planetary geometric albedo, Ag, which is an indicator of the presence of clouds in the atmosphere. Aims. In this work, we aim to measure the Ag in the optical domain of WASP-43b, a moderately irradiated giant planet with an equilibrium temperature of ~1400 K. Methods. For this purpose, we analyzed the secondary eclipse light curves collected by CHEOPS together with TESS along with observations of the system and the publicly available photometry obtained with HST WFC3/UVIS. We also analyzed the archival infrared observations of the eclipses and retrieve the thermal emission spectrum of the planet. By extrapolating the thermal spectrum to the optical bands, we corrected for the optical eclipses for thermal emission and derived the optical Ag. Results. The fit of the optical data leads to a marginal detection of the phase-curve signal, characterized by an amplitude of 160 ± 60 ppm and 80a-? 50+60 ppm in the CHEOPS and TESS passbands, respectively, with an eastward phase shift of ~50 (1.5Ï ? detection). The analysis of the infrared data suggests a non-inverted thermal profile and solar-like metallicity. The combination of the optical and infrared analyses allows us to derive an upper limit for the optical albedo of Ag< 0.087, with a confidence of 99.9%. Conclusions. Our analysis of the atmosphere of WASP-43b places this planet in the sample of irradiated hot Jupiters, with monotonic temperature-pressure profile and no indication of condensation of reflective clouds on the planetary dayside. © G. Scandariato et al. 2022. (Less)
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Contribution to journal
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keywords
Planets and satellites: atmospheres, Planets and satellites: detection, Planets and satellites: gaseous planets, Planets and satellites: individual: WASP-43b, Techniques: photometric, Extrasolar planets, Photometry, Satellites, Solar radiation, Geometric albedos, Optical-, Planet and satellite: gaseous planet, Planet and satellite: individual: WASP-43b, Planets and satellites, Planets and satellites: detections, Planets and satellites: individual, Secondary eclipse, Emission spectroscopy
in
Astronomy and Astrophysics
volume
668
article number
A17
publisher
EDP Sciences
external identifiers
  • scopus:85145350223
ISSN
0004-6361
DOI
10.1051/0004-6361/202243974
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
8bf3d369-15d2-4e37-9155-6b68cab14b40
date added to LUP
2023-01-16 12:16:59
date last changed
2023-01-16 12:16:59
@article{8bf3d369-15d2-4e37-9155-6b68cab14b40,
  abstract     = {{Context. Observations of the phase curves and secondary eclipses of extrasolar planets provide a window onto the composition and thermal structure of the planetary atmospheres. For example, the photometric observations of secondary eclipses lead to the measurement of the planetary geometric albedo, Ag, which is an indicator of the presence of clouds in the atmosphere. Aims. In this work, we aim to measure the Ag in the optical domain of WASP-43b, a moderately irradiated giant planet with an equilibrium temperature of ~1400 K. Methods. For this purpose, we analyzed the secondary eclipse light curves collected by CHEOPS together with TESS along with observations of the system and the publicly available photometry obtained with HST WFC3/UVIS. We also analyzed the archival infrared observations of the eclipses and retrieve the thermal emission spectrum of the planet. By extrapolating the thermal spectrum to the optical bands, we corrected for the optical eclipses for thermal emission and derived the optical Ag. Results. The fit of the optical data leads to a marginal detection of the phase-curve signal, characterized by an amplitude of 160 ± 60 ppm and 80a-? 50+60 ppm in the CHEOPS and TESS passbands, respectively, with an eastward phase shift of ~50 (1.5Ï ? detection). The analysis of the infrared data suggests a non-inverted thermal profile and solar-like metallicity. The combination of the optical and infrared analyses allows us to derive an upper limit for the optical albedo of Ag&lt; 0.087, with a confidence of 99.9%. Conclusions. Our analysis of the atmosphere of WASP-43b places this planet in the sample of irradiated hot Jupiters, with monotonic temperature-pressure profile and no indication of condensation of reflective clouds on the planetary dayside. © G. Scandariato et al. 2022.}},
  author       = {{Scandariato, G. and Davies, M.B. and Walton, N.}},
  issn         = {{0004-6361}},
  keywords     = {{Planets and satellites: atmospheres; Planets and satellites: detection; Planets and satellites: gaseous planets; Planets and satellites: individual: WASP-43b; Techniques: photometric; Extrasolar planets; Photometry; Satellites; Solar radiation; Geometric albedos; Optical-; Planet and satellite: gaseous planet; Planet and satellite: individual: WASP-43b; Planets and satellites; Planets and satellites: detections; Planets and satellites: individual; Secondary eclipse; Emission spectroscopy}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{EDP Sciences}},
  series       = {{Astronomy and Astrophysics}},
  title        = {{Phase curve and geometric albedo of WASP-43b measured with CHEOPS, TESS, and HST WFC3/UVIS}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202243974}},
  doi          = {{10.1051/0004-6361/202243974}},
  volume       = {{668}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}