Seminar by Ryan MacDonald on the topic of Exoplanets

Seminar by Ryan MacDonald from the University of Saint Andrews, on the topic of exoplanet atmospheres.

Title: Atmospheres on Rocky Exoplanets: Promising Early Results from JWST

Abstract: The potential habitability of rocky planets orbiting other stars is one of the frontier questions of exoplanetary science. To assess habitability, we must first determine which rocky worlds have atmospheres. Terrestrial planets orbiting small M-dwarf stars are currently the focus of observational searches for atmospheres on rocky exoplanets, since the small size of their host star increases our sensitivity to planetary atmospheres. However, the extreme-UV radiation and frequent flaring of M-dwarfs pose challenges for the long-term atmospheric survival of such rocky worlds.

JWST spectroscopic observations are now providing the sensitivity to detect and characterise atmospheres on rocky exoplanets. A core goal of the JWST mission is to reveal the presence and compositional diversity of rocky planets in our galaxy.

In this seminar, I will report the progress on identifying rocky exoplanet atmospheres with JWST, the most promising evidence of rocky exoplanet atmospheres to date, and near-term prospects to confirm these initial signs of rocky exoplanet atmospheres.