ExoGemS Detection of a Metal Hydride in an Exoplanet Atmosphere at High Spectral Resolution
Exoplanet atmosphere studies are often enriched by synergies with brown dwarf analogs. However, many key molecules commonly seen in brown dwarfs have yet to be confirmed in exoplanet atmospheres. An important example is chromium hydride (CrH), which is often used to probe atmospheric...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
IOP Publishing
2023-01-01
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| Series: | The Astrophysical Journal Letters |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3847/2041-8213/ace529 |
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| Summary: | Exoplanet atmosphere studies are often enriched by synergies with brown dwarf
analogs. However, many key molecules commonly seen in brown dwarfs have yet to
be confirmed in exoplanet atmospheres. An important example is chromium hydride
(CrH), which is often used to probe atmospheric temperatures and classify brown
dwarfs into spectral types. Recently, tentative evidence for CrH was reported in
the low-resolution transmission spectrum of the hot Jupiter WASP-31b. Here, we
present high spectral resolution observations of WASP-31b’s transmission
spectrum from GRACES/Gemini North and UVES/Very Large Telescope. We detect CrH
at 5.6 σ confidence, representing the first metal
hydride detection in an exoplanet atmosphere at high spectral resolution. Our
findings constitute a critical step in understanding the role of metal hydrides
in exoplanet atmospheres. |
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| ISSN: | 2041-8205 |