LASP Science Seminars

The study of exoplanetary systems holds the promise of helping humanity better understand its place in the universe. Measuring the chemical composition of exoplanets allows us to test formation and evolutionary hypotheses and to search for signs of life, making it a crucial step toward characterizing the exoplanet population and placing our Solar System in context. JWST is providing the observational capability to probe exoplanets in much greater detail than previously possible, and promises to answer several long-standing questions in the field. However, while our capacity to observe exoplanet atmospheres is being revolutionized, we must reconsider how we interpret these observations in order to deliver on these promises. In this talk, I will present ongoing work to transform how we use observational data to understand exoplanet atmospheres and interiors. I will demonstrate how employing more sophisticated modeling and statistical techniques, such as combining the power of a wide range of models, can lead to accurate, reliable constraints on the chemistry of gas giant atmospheres. I will also explain how atmospheric and internal structure models can be connected to infer the surface and interior conditions of sub-Neptunes. Finally, I will discuss how these advances will allow us to answer fundamental questions about the nature of planetary systems using facilities such as JWST, while setting the stage for longer-term progress in our understanding of exoplanets from upcoming missions.