Searching for Far-ultraviolet Auroral/dayglow Emission from HD209458b with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph
Abstract
We present initial results from an HST Cycle 17 program to search for atomic and molecular emissions from the well-studied transiting planet HD209458b. HD209248b is a hot-Jupiter (M 0.7 MJ) known to have a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. We describe recent observations with the HST/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph aimed at detecting molecular hydrogen and/or atomic emission from aurorae present in the planet's atmosphere. We use a total of 12 orbits to acquire moderate resolution (R 20,000) far-UV (1140 - 1750 A) spectra at both the Phase 0.25 and Phase 0.75 quadrature positions. We have used high-quality spectra of a template G0V star (alpha Cen) to identify stellar features that may overlap with planetary signal. We also describe a model for H2 emission from the Jovian aurora/dayglow that has been adapted for the interpretation of the COS spectra.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #215
- Pub Date:
- January 2010
- Bibcode:
- 2010AAS...21546406F