| dc.description.abstract | We present a consistent optimal estimation retrieval analysis of 10 hot Jupiter exoplanets, each with transmission
spectral data spanning the visible to near-infrared wavelength range. Using the NEMESIS radiative transfer and
retrieval tool, we calculate a range of possible atmospheric states for WASP-6b, WASP-12b, WASP-17b, WASP-
19b, WASP-31b, WASP-39b, HD 189733b, HD 209458b, HAT-P-1b, and HAT-P-12b. We find that the spectra of
all 10 planets are consistent with the presence of some atmospheric aerosol; WASP-6b, WASP-12b, WASP-17b,
WASP-19b, HD 189733b, and HAT-P-12b are all fit best by Rayleigh scattering aerosols, whereas WASP-31b,
WASP-39b and HD 209458b are better represented by a gray cloud model. HAT-P-1b has solutions that fall into
both categories. WASP-6b, HAT-P-12b, HD 189733b, and WASP-12b must have aerosol extending to low
atmospheric pressures (below 0.1 mbar). In general, planets with equilibrium temperatures between 1300 and
1700 K are best represented by deeper, gray cloud layers, whereas cooler or hotter planets are better fit using high
Rayleigh scattering aerosol. We find little evidence for the presence of molecular absorbers other than H2O.
Retrieval methods can provide a consistent picture across a range of hot Jupiter atmospheres with existing data, and
will be a powerful tool for the interpretation of James Webb Space Telescope observations | en_GB |
| dc.description.sponsorship | J.K.B. is currently funded under European
Research Council project 617119 (ExoLights). J.K.B. also
acknowledges the support of the Science and Technology
Facilities Council during earlier stages of this work. S.A.
acknowledges the support of the Leverhulme Trust (RPG-
2012-661) and S.A. and P.G.J.I. receive funding from the
Science and Technology Facilities Council (ST/K00106X/1).
D.K.S. acknowledges support from the European Research
Council under the European Unions Seventh Framework
Programme (FP7/2007-2013)/ERC grant agreement number
336792.
This work is based on observations with the NASA/ESA
HST, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)
operated by AURA, Inc. This work is also based in part on
observations made with the Spitzer Space Telescope, which is
operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute
of Technology under a contract with NASA. | en_GB |
