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Hannah R. Wakeford

Publications and source records attributed to Hannah R. Wakeford.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

Confirmation of water emission in the dayside spectrum of the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-121b

We present four new secondary eclipse observations for the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-121b acquired using the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3. The eclipse depth is measured to a median precision of 60ppm across 28 spectroscopic channels spanning the 1.12-1.64 micron wavelength range. This is a considerable improvement to the 90ppm precision we achieved previously for a single eclipse observation using the same observing setup. Combining these data with those reported at other wavelengths, a blackbody spectrum for WASP-121b is ruled out at >6-sigma confidence and we confirm the interpretation of previous retrieval analyses that found the data is best explained by a dayside thermal inversion. The updated spectrum clearly resolves the water emission band at 1.3-1.6 micron, with higher signal-to-noise than before. It also fails to reproduce a bump in the spectrum at 1.25 micron derived from the first eclipse observation, which had tentatively been attributed to VO emission. We conclude the latter was either a statistical fluctuation or a systematic artefact specific to the first eclipse dataset.

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Detection of Na, K and H$_2$O in the hazy atmosphere of WASP-6b

We present new observations of the transmission spectrum of the hot Jupiter WASP-6b both from the ground with the Very Large Telescope (VLT) FOcal Reducer and Spectrograph (FORS2) from 0.45-0.83 $μ$m, and space with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) from 0.6-1.0 $μ$m and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 from 1.12-1.65 $μ$m. Archival data from the HST Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and Spitzer is also reanalysed on a common Gaussian process framework, of which the STIS data show a good overall agreement with the overlapping FORS2 data. We also explore the effects of stellar heterogeneity on our observations and its resulting implications towards determining the atmospheric characteristics of WASP-6b. Independent of our assumptions for the level of stellar heterogeneity we detect Na I, K I and H$_2$O absorption features and constrain the elemental oxygen abundance to a value of [O/H] $\simeq -0.9\pm0.3$ relative to solar. In contrast, we find that the stellar heterogeneity correction can have significant effects on the retrieved distributions of the [Na/H] and [K/H] abundances, primarily through its degeneracy with the sloping optical opacity of scattering haze species within the atmosphere. Our results also show that despite this presence of haze, WASP-6b remains a favourable object for future atmospheric characterisation with upcoming missions such as the James Webb Space Telescope.

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Optical to near-infrared transmission spectrum of the warm sub-Saturn HAT-P-12b

We present the transmission spectrum of HAT-P-12b through a joint analysis of data obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) and Spitzer, covering the wavelength range 0.3-5.0 $μ$m. We detect a muted water vapor absorption feature at 1.4 $μ$m attenuated by clouds, as well as a Rayleigh scattering slope in the optical indicative of small particles. We interpret the transmission spectrum using both the state-of-the-art atmospheric retrieval code SCARLET and the aerosol microphysics model CARMA. These models indicate that the atmosphere of HAT-P-12b is consistent with a broad range of metallicities between several tens to a few hundred times solar, a roughly solar C/O ratio, and moderately efficient vertical mixing. Cloud models that include condensate clouds do not readily generate the sub-micron particles necessary to reproduce the observed Rayleigh scattering slope, while models that incorporate photochemical hazes composed of soot or tholins are able to match the full transmission spectrum. From a complementary analysis of secondary eclipses by Spitzer, we obtain measured depths of $0.042\%\pm0.013\%$ and $0.045\%\pm0.018\%$ at 3.6 and 4.5 $μ$m, respectively, which are consistent with a blackbody temperature of $890^{+60}_{-70}$ K and indicate efficient day-night heat recirculation. HAT-P-12b joins the growing number of well-characterized warm planets that underscore the importance of clouds and hazes in our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres.

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WASP-52b. The effect of starspot correction on atmospheric retrievals

We perform atmospheric retrievals on the full optical to infrared ($0.3-5 \, μ\mathrm{m}$) transmission spectrum of the inflated hot Jupiter WASP-52b by combining HST/STIS, WFC3 IR, and Spitzer/IRAC observations. As WASP-52 is an active star which shows both out-of-transit photometric variability and starspot crossings during transits, we account for the contribution of non-occulted active regions in the retrieval. We recover a $0.1-10\times$ solar atmospheric composition, in agreement with core accretion predictions for giant planets, and a weak contribution of aerosols. We also obtain a $<3000$ K temperature for the starspots, a measure which is likely affected by the models used to fit instrumental effects in the transits, and a 5% starspot fractional coverage, compatible with expectations for the host star's spectral type. Such constraints on the planetary atmosphere and on the activity of its host star will inform future JWST GTO observations of this target.

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Transmission Spectroscopy of WASP-79b from 0.6 to 5.0 $μ$m

As part of the PanCET program, we have conducted a spectroscopic study of WASP-79b, an inflated hot Jupiter orbiting an F-type star in Eridanus with a period of 3.66 days. Building on the original WASP and TRAPPIST photometry of Smalley et al (2012), we examine HST/WFC3 (1.125 - 1.650 $μ$m), Magellan/LDSS-3C (0.6 - 1 $μ$m) data, and Spitzer data (3.6 and 4.5 $μ$m). Using data from all three instruments, we constrain the water abundance to be --2.20 $\leq$ log(H$_2$O) $\leq$ --1.55. We present these results along with the results of an atmospheric retrieval analysis, which favor inclusion of FeH and H$^-$ in the atmospheric model. We also provide an updated ephemeris based on the Smalley, HST/WFC3, LDSS-3C, Spitzer, and TESS transit times. With the detectable water feature and its occupation of the clear/cloudy transition region of the temperature/gravity phase space, WASP-79b is a target of interest for the approved JWST Director's Discretionary Early Release Science (DD ERS) program, with ERS observations planned to be the first to execute in Cycle 1. Transiting exoplanets have been approved for 78.1 hours of data collection, and with the delay in the JWST launch, WASP-79b is now a target for the Panchromatic Transmission program. This program will observe WASP-79b for 42 hours in 4 different instrument modes, providing substantially more data by which to investigate this hot Jupiter.

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The HST PanCET Program: Exospheric Mg II and Fe II in the Near-UV transmission spectrum of WASP-121b using Jitter Decorrelation

We present HST near-ultraviolet (NUV) transits of the hot Jupiter WASP-121b, acquired as part of the PanCET program. Time series spectra during two transit events were used to measure the transmission spectra between 2280 and 3070 Angstroms at a resolution of 30,000. Using HST data from 61 STIS visits, we show that data from HST's Pointing Control System can be used to decorrelate the instrument systematic errors (Jitter Decorrelation), which we used to fit the WASP-121b light curves. The NUV spectrum show very strong absorption features, with the NUV white light curve found to be larger than the average optical and near-infrared value at 6-$σ$ confidence. We identify and spectrally resolve absorption from the Mg ii doublet in the planetary exosphere at a 5.9-$σ$ confidence level. The Mg ii doublet is observed to reach altitudes of $R_{pl}/R_{star}=0.284\pm0.037$ for the 2796 Angstrom line and $0.242\pm0.0431$ in the 2804 Angstrom line, which exceeds the Roche lobe size as viewed in transit geometry ($R_{\rm eqRL}/R_{star}$ = 0.158). We also detect and resolve strong features of the Fe ii UV1 and UV2 multiplets, and observe the lines reaching altitudes of $R_{pl}/R_{star}\approx0.3$. At these high altitudes, the atmospheric Mg ii and Fe ii gas is not gravitationally bound to the planet, and these ionized species may be hydrodynamically escaping or could be magnetically confined. Refractory Mg and Fe atoms at high altitudes also indicates that these species are not trapped into condensate clouds at depth, which places constraints on the deep interior temperature.

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An emission spectrum for WASP-121b measured across the 0.8-1.1 micron wavelength range using the Hubble Space Telescope

WASP-121b is a transiting gas giant exoplanet orbiting close to its Roche limit, with an inflated radius nearly double that of Jupiter and a dayside temperature comparable to a late M dwarf photosphere. Secondary eclipse observations covering the 1.1-1.6 micron wavelength range have revealed an atmospheric thermal inversion on the dayside hemisphere, likely caused by high altitude absorption at optical wavelengths. Here we present secondary eclipse observations made with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 spectrograph that extend the wavelength coverage from 1.1 micron down to 0.8 micron. To determine the atmospheric properties from the measured eclipse spectrum, we performed a retrieval analysis assuming chemical equilibrium, with the effects of thermal dissociation and ionization included. Our best-fit model provides a good fit to the data with reduced chi^2=1.04. The data diverge from a blackbody spectrum and instead exhibit emission due to H- shortward of 1.1 micron. The best-fit model does not reproduce a previously reported bump in the spectrum at 1.25 micron, possibly indicating this feature is a statistical fluctuation in the data rather than a VO emission band as had been tentatively suggested. We estimate an atmospheric metallicity of [M/H]=1.09(-0.69,+0.57), and fit for the carbon and oxygen abundances separately, obtaining [C/H]=-0.29(-0.48,+0.61) and [O/H]=0.18(-0.60,+0.64). The corresponding carbon-to-oxygen ratio is C/O=0.49(-0.37,+0.65), which encompasses the solar value of 0.54, but has a large uncertainty.

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Disentangling the planet from the star in late type M dwarfs: A case study of TRAPPIST-1g

The atmospheres of late M stars represent a significant challenge in the characterization of any transiting exoplanets due to the presence of strong molecular features in the stellar atmosphere. TRAPPIST-1 is an ultra-cool dwarf, host to seven transiting planets, and contains its own molecular signatures which can potentially be imprinted on planetary transit lightcurves due to inhomogeneities in the occulted stellar photosphere. We present a case study on TRAPPIST-1g, the largest planet in the system, using a new observation together with previous data, to disentangle the atmospheric transmission of the planet from that of the star. We use the out-of-transit stellar spectra to reconstruct the stellar flux based on one-, two-, and three-temperature components. We find that TRAPPIST-1 is a 0.08 M$_*$, 0.117 R$_*$, M8V star with a photospheric effective temperature of 2400 K, with ~35% 3000 K spot coverage and a very small fraction, <3%, of ~5800 K hot spot. We calculate a planetary radius for TRAPPIST-1g to be Rp = 1.124 R$_\oplus$ with a planetary density of $ρ_p$ = 0.8214 $ρ_\oplus$. Based on the stellar reconstruction there are eleven plausible scenarios for the combined stellar photosphere and planet transit geometry; in our analysis we are able to rule out 8 of the 11 scenarios. Using planetary models we evaluate the remaining scenarios with respect to the transmission spectrum of TRAPPIST-1g. We conclude that the planetary transmission spectrum is likely not contaminated by any stellar spectral features, and are able to rule out a clear solar H2/He-dominated atmosphere at greater than 3-sigma.

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The HST PanCET Program: Hints of Na I & Evidence of a Cloudy Atmosphere for the Inflated Hot Jupiter WASP-52b

We present an optical to near-infrared transmission spectrum of the inflated hot Jupiter WASP-52b using three transit observations from the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) mounted on the Hubble Space Telescope, combined with Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) photometry at 3.6 microns and 4.5 microns. Since WASP-52 is a moderately active (log(Lx/Lbol) = -4.7) star, we correct the transit light curves for the effect of stellar activity using ground-based photometric monitoring data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) and Tennessee State University's Automatic Imaging Telescope (AIT). We bin the data in 38 spectrophotometric light curves from 0.29 to 4.5 microns and measure the transit depths to a median precision of 90 ppm. We compare the transmission spectrum to a grid of forward atmospheric models and find that our results are consistent with a cloudy spectrum and evidence of sodium at 2.3-sigma confidence, but no observable evidence of potassium absorption even in the narrowest spectroscopic channel. We find that the optical transmission spectrum of WASP-52b is similar to that of the well-studied inflated hot Jupiter HAT-P-1b, which has comparable surface gravity, equilibrium temperature, mass, radius, and stellar irradiation levels. At longer wavelengths, however, the best fitting models for WASP-52b and HAT-P-1b predict quite dissimilar properties, which could be confirmed with observations at wavelengths longer than ~1 micron. The identification of planets with common atmospheric properties and similar system parameters will be insightful for comparative atmospheric studies with the James Webb Space Telescope.

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Fully scalable forward model grid of exoplanet transmission spectra

Simulated exoplanet transmission spectra are critical for planning and interpretation of observations and to explore the sensitivity of spectral features to atmospheric thermochemical processes. We present a publicly available generic model grid of planetary transmission spectra, scalable to a wide range of H$_2$/He dominated atmospheres. The grid is computed using the 1D/2D atmosphere model ATMO for two different chemical scenarios, first considering local condensation only, secondly considering global condensation and removal of species from the atmospheric column (rainout). The entire grid consists of 56,320 model simulations across 22 equilibrium temperatures (400 - 2600 K), four planetary gravities (5 - 50 ms$^{-2}$), five atmospheric metallicities (1x - 200x), four C/O ratios (0.35 - 1.0), four scattering haze parameters, four uniform cloud parameters, and two chemical scenarios. We derive scaling equations which can be used with this grid, for a wide range of planet-star combinations. We validate this grid by comparing it with other model transmission spectra available in the literature. We highlight some of the important findings, such as the rise of SO$_2$ features at 100x solar metallicity, differences in spectral features at high C/O ratios between two condensation approaches, the importance of VO features without TiO to constrain the limb temperature and features of TiO/VO both, to constrain the condensation processes. Finally, this generic grid can be used to plan future observations using the HST, VLT, JWST and various other telescopes. The fine variation of parameters in the grid also allows it to be incorporated in a retrieval framework, with various machine learning techniques.

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An optical transmission spectrum for the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-121b measured with the Hubble Space Telescope

We present an atmospheric transmission spectrum for the ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-121b, measured using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) onboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Across the 0.47-1 micron wavelength range, the data imply an atmospheric opacity comparable to - and in some spectroscopic channels exceeding - that previously measured at near-infrared wavelengths (1.15-1.65 micron). Wavelength-dependent variations in the opacity rule out a gray cloud deck at a confidence level of 3.8-sigma and may instead be explained by VO spectral bands. We find a cloud-free model assuming chemical equilibrium for a temperature of 1500K and metal enrichment of 10-30x solar matches these data well. Using a free-chemistry retrieval analysis, we estimate a VO abundance of -6.6(-0.3,+0.2) dex. We find no evidence for TiO and place a 3-sigma upper limit of -7.9 dex on its abundance, suggesting TiO may have condensed from the gas phase at the day-night limb. The opacity rises steeply at the shortest wavelengths, increasing by approximately five pressure scale heights from 0.47 to 0.3 micron in wavelength. If this feature is caused by Rayleigh scattering due to uniformly-distributed aerosols, it would imply an unphysically high temperature of 6810+/-1530K. One alternative explanation for the short-wavelength rise is absorption due to SH (mercapto radical), which has been predicted as an important product of non-equilibrium chemistry in hot Jupiter atmospheres. Irrespective of the identity of the NUV absorber, it likely captures a significant amount of incident stellar radiation at low pressures, thus playing a significant role in the overall energy budget, thermal structure, and circulation of the atmosphere.

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Limits on Clouds and Hazes for the TRAPPIST-1 Planets

The TRAPPIST-1 planetary system is an excellent candidate for study of the evolution and habitability of M-dwarf planets. Transmission spectroscopy observations performed with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) suggest the innermost five planets do not possess clear hydrogen atmospheres. Here we reassess these conclusions with recently updated mass constraints and expand the analysis to include limits on metallicity, cloud top pressure, and the strength of haze scattering. We connect recent laboratory results of particle size and production rate for exoplanet hazes to a one-dimensional atmospheric model for TRAPPIST-1 transmission spectra. Doing so, we obtain a physically-based estimate of haze scattering cross sections. We find haze scattering cross sections on the order of 1e-26 to 1e-19 cm squared are needed in hydrogen-rich atmospheres for TRAPPIST-1 d, e, and f to match the HST data. For TRAPPIST-1 g, we cannot rule out a clear hydrogen-rich atmosphere. We also modeled the effects an opaque cloud deck and substantial heavy element content have on the transmission spectra. We determine that hydrogen-rich atmospheres with high altitude clouds, at pressures of 12mbar and lower, are consistent with the HST observations for TRAPPIST-1 d and e. For TRAPPIST-1 f and g, we cannot rule out clear hydrogen-rich cases to high confidence. We demonstrate that metallicities of at least 60xsolar with tropospheric (0.1 bar) clouds agree with observations. Additionally, we provide estimates of the precision necessary for future observations to disentangle degeneracies in cloud top pressure and metallicity. Our results suggest secondary, volatile-rich atmospheres for the outer TRAPPIST-1 planets d, e, and f.

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The Transiting Exoplanet Community Early Release Science Program for JWST

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) presents the opportunity to transform our understanding of planets and the origins of life by revealing the atmospheric compositions, structures, and dynamics of transiting exoplanets in unprecedented detail. However, the high-precision, time-series observations required for such investigations have unique technical challenges, and prior experience with other facilities indicates that there will be a steep learning curve when JWST becomes operational. In this paper we describe the science objectives and detailed plans of the Transiting Exoplanet Community Early Release Science (ERS) Program, which is a recently approved program for JWST observations early in Cycle 1. The goal of this project, for which the obtained data will have no exclusive access period, is to accelerate the acquisition and diffusion of technical expertise for transiting exoplanet observations with JWST, while also providing a compelling set of representative datasets that will enable immediate scientific breakthroughs. The Transiting Exoplanet Community ERS Program will exercise the time-series modes of all four JWST instruments that have been identified as the consensus highest priorities, observe the full suite of transiting planet characterization geometries (transits, eclipses, and phase curves), and target planets with host stars that span an illustrative range of brightnesses. The observations in this program were defined through an inclusive and transparent process that had participation from JWST instrument experts and international leaders in transiting exoplanet studies. Community engagement in the project will be centered on a two-phase Data Challenge that culminates with the delivery of planetary spectra, time-series instrument performance reports, and open-source data analysis toolkits in time to inform the agenda for Cycle 2 of the JWST mission.

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Starspot occultations in infrared transit spectroscopy: the case of WASP-52b

Stellar activity is one of the main obstacles to high-precision exoplanet observations and has motivated extensive studies in detection and characterization problems. Most efforts focused on unocculted starspots in optical transit spectrophotometry, while the impact of starspot crossings is assumed to be negligible in the near-infrared. Here, we present \textit{HST}/WFC3 transit observations of the active star WASP-52, hosting an inflated hot Jupiter, which present a possible starspot occultation signal. By using this data set as a benchmark, we investigated whether the masking of the transit profile distortion or modeling it with both a starspot model and a Gaussian process affects the shape of the transmission spectrum. Different methods produced spectra with the same shape and a robust detection of water vapor, and with $\lesssim 1 σ$ different reference radii for the planet. The solutions of all methods are in agreement and reached a similar level of precision. Our WFC3 light curve of WASP-52b hints that starspot crossings might become more problematic with \textit{JWST}'s higher sensitivity and complete coverage of the transit profile.

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An absolute sodium abundance for a cloud-free 'hot Saturn' exoplanet

Broad absorption signatures from alkali metals, such as the sodium (Na I) and potassium (K I) resonance doublets, have long been predicted in the optical atmospheric spectra of cloud-free irradiated gas-giant exoplanets1,2,3. However, observations have only revealed the narrow cores of these features rather than the full pressure-broadened profiles4-6. Cloud and haze opacity at the day-night planetary terminator are considered responsible for obscuring the absorption-line wings, which hinders constraints on absolute atmospheric abundances7-9. Here we present an optical transmission spectrum for the 'hot-Saturn' WASP-96b obtained with the Very Large Telescope, which exhibits the complete pressure-broadened profile of the sodium absorption feature. The spectrum is in excellent agreement with cloud-free, solar-abundance models assuming chemical equilibrium. We are able to measure a precise, absolute sodium abundance of logε_Na=6.9+0.6-0.4, and use it as a proxy to the planet's atmospheric metallicity relative to the solar value (Z_p/Z_\star=2.3+8.9/--1.7). This result is consistent with the mass-metallicity trend observed for solar-system planets and exoplanets10-12.

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A comparative study of WASP-67b and HAT-P-38b from WFC3 data

Atmospheric temperature and planetary gravity are thought to be the main parameters affecting cloud formation in giant exoplanet atmospheres. Recent attempts to understand cloud formation have explored wide regions of the equilibrium temperature-gravity parameter space. In this study, we instead compare the case of two giant planets with nearly identical equilibrium temperature ($T_\mathrm{eq}$ $\sim 1050 \, \mathrm{K}$) and gravity ($g \sim 10 \, \mathrm{m \, s}^{-1})$. During $HST$ Cycle 23, we collected WFC3/G141 observations of the two planets, WASP-67 b and HAT-P-38 b. HAT-P-38 b, with mass 0.42 M$_\mathrm{J}$ and radius 1.4 $R_\mathrm{J}$, exhibits a relatively clear atmosphere with a clear detection of water. We refine the orbital period of this planet with new observations, obtaining $P = 4.6403294 \pm 0.0000055 \, \mathrm{d}$. WASP-67 b, with mass 0.27 M$_\mathrm{J}$ and radius 0.83 $R_\mathrm{J}$, shows a more muted water absorption feature than that of HAT-P-38 b, indicating either a higher cloud deck in the atmosphere or a more metal-rich composition. The difference in the spectra supports the hypothesis that giant exoplanet atmospheres carry traces of their formation history. Future observations in the visible and mid-infrared are needed to probe the aerosol properties and constrain the evolutionary scenario of these planets.

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A Comparison of Simulated JWST Observations Derived from Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Chemistry Models of Giant Exoplanets

We aim to see if the difference between equilibrium and disequilibrium chemistry is observable in the atmospheres of transiting planets by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). We perform a case study comparing the dayside emission spectra of three planets like HD 189733b, WASP-80b, and GJ436b, in and out of chemical equilibrium at two metallicities each. These three planets were chosen because they span a large range of planetary masses and equilibrium temperatures, from hot and Jupiter-sized to warm and Neptune-sized. We link the one-dimensional disequilibrium chemistry model from Venot et al. (2012) in which thermochemical kinetics, vertical transport, and photochemistry are taken into account, to the one-dimensional, pseudo line-by-line radiative transfer model, Pyrat Bay, developed especially for hot Jupiters, and then simulate JWST spectra using PandExo for comparing the effects of temperature, metallicity, and radius. We find the most significant differences from 4 to 5 $μ$m due to disequilibrium from CO and CO$_{2}$ abundances, and also H$_{2}$O for select cases. Our case study shows a certain "sweet spot" of planetary mass, temperature, and metallicity where the difference between equilibrium and disequilibrium is observable. For a planet similar to WASP-80b, JWST's NIRSpec G395M can detect differences due to disequilibrium chemistry with one eclipse event. For a planet similar to GJ 436b, the observability of differences due to disequilibrium chemistry is possible at low metallicity given five eclipse events, but not possible at the higher metallicity.

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The Complete transmission spectrum of WASP-39b with a precise water constraint

WASP-39b is a hot Saturn-mass exoplanet with a predicted clear atmosphere based on observations in the optical and infrared. Here we complete the transmission spectrum of the atmosphere with observations in the near-infrared (NIR) over three water absorption features with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) G102 (0.8-1.1 microns) and G141 (1.1-1.7 microns) spectroscopic grisms. We measure the predicted high amplitude H2O feature centered at 1.4 microns, and the smaller amplitude features at 0.95 and 1.2 microns, with a maximum water absorption amplitude of 2.4 planetary scale heights. We incorporate these new NIR measurements into previously published observational measurements to complete the transmission spectrum from 0.3-5 microns. From these observed water features, combined with features in the optical and IR, we retrieve a well constrained temperature Teq = 1030(+30,-20) K, and atmospheric metallicity 151 (+48,-46)x solar which is relatively high with respect to the currently established mass-metallicity trends. This new measurement in the Saturn-mass range hints at further diversity in the planet formation process relative to our solar system giants.

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