Characterizing Exoplanet Atmospheres with High-Resolution, Optical Transmission Spectra

ExoGemS is using spectra from Gemini-GRACES to characterize exoplanets with a wide range of properties. One highlight from our survey is the detection of CrH in WASP-31b.

paper: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2023ApJ…953L..19F/abstract

twitter thread: https://twitter.com/lauraflaggastro/status/1679488708473651201

Characterizing Young Exoplanets

We used high-resolution spectroscopy from IGRINS to detect CO in the atmosphere of CI Tau b, a planet initially discovered by the radial velocity method in 2016. Our detection confirms the existence of CI Tau b, making it the youngest confirmed hot Jupiter. It is also the first planet around a T Tauri star with a dynamic mass measurement.

Paper: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019ApJ…878L..37F/abstract

Gas Dispersal Timescales in Circumstellar Disks

Planet formation hinges on the gas present in the disk. We have looked for (and found!) small amounts of warm molecular hydrogen in disks previously thought to not have warm gas.

Paper on AU Mic: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2022ApJ…934….8F/abstract

twitter thread on AU Mic: https://twitter.com/lauraflaggastro/status/1534218411387002881

Paper on TWA 7: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2021ApJ…921…86F/abstract

poster: https://lauraflagg.github.io/files/coolstars21_poster_new.pdf