[Previous] | [Session 123] | [Next]

[123.01] A New Search for CO Absorption in the Transmission Spectrum of HD 209458b

D. Deming (NASA's GSFC), T. Brown (HAO), D. Charbonneau (CalTech), J. Harrington (Cornell Univ.), L. J. Richardson (NASA's GSFC, & USRA)

We have revisited the search for CO absorption features in transmission during the transit of the extrasolar planet HD 209458b. In August-September 2002 we acquired high resolution spectra in the K band region using NIRSPEC on Keck II, during several transits. These data are superior in both quality and quantity to the data analyzed in an initial search by Brown et al. (2002, PASP 114, 826). Preliminary analysis indicates a sensitivity sufficient to detect CO in absorption at the levels predicted by some plausible models of the planetary atmosphere. We will show results for these models, and for parameterized model variations involving changes in cloud height. This work was supported in part by NASA's Origins of Solar Systems program.

[Previous] | [Session 123] | [Next]

Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35#5
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.