Data Challenges and Prospects of High-Resolution Spectroscopy of Exoplanets

Data challenges and prospects of high-resolution spectroscopy of exoplanets

Understanding the atmospheres of exoplanets is crucial for unravelling their formation, evolution and potential habitability. High-resolution cross-correlation spectroscopy (HRCCS) has emerged as a powerful tool for probing exoplanetary atmospheres, enabling the detection of molecular species and the characterization of atmospheric dynamics. However, the reliability of these detections depends critically on the accuracy of laboratory spectroscop…

Exoplanet Triggers Stellar Fireworks

Astronomers have found the first clear evidence of a planet triggering flares on its host star. Using data from NASA’s TESS and ESA’s CHEOPS space telescopes, an international team led by ASTRON and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) observed powerful bursts of energy from the young star HIP 67522—coinciding with the orbit of its closely orbiting planet. The planet, a hot giant orbiting the star every seven days, appears to ign…