Narrow-K-Band Observations of the GJ 1214 System

TL;DR

This study presents narrow-K-band transit observations of GJ 1214b, supporting a flat transmission spectrum and constraining atmospheric models, but more precise data are needed for definitive conclusions.

Contribution

First ground-based narrow-K-band photometry of GJ 1214b with high precision, providing new constraints on its atmospheric composition and spectrum.

Findings

Measured a planet-star radius ratio of 0.1158±0.0013.

Found no significant deviation from a flat spectrum within measurement errors.

Supported the flat spectrum hypothesis, but did not exclude a hydrogen-rich atmosphere with heavy elements.

Abstract

GJ 1214 is a nearby M dwarf star that hosts a transiting super-Earth-size planet, making this system an excellent target for atmospheric studies. Most studies find that the transmission spectrum of GJ 1214b is flat, which favors either a high mean molecular weight or cloudy/hazy hydrogen (H) rich atmosphere model. Photometry at short wavelengths (< 0.7 micron) and in the K-band can discriminate the most between these different atmosphere models for GJ 1214b, but current observations do not have sufficiently high precision. We present photometry of seven transits of GJ 1214b through a narrow K-band (2.141 micron) filter with the Wide Field Camera on the 3.8 m United Kingdom Infrared Telescope. Our photometric precision is typically 1.7x10^-3 (for a single transit), comparable with other ground-based observations of GJ 1214b. We measure a planet-star radius ratio of 0.1158+/-0.0013, which, along with other studies, also supports a flat transmission spectrum for GJ 1214b. Since this does not exclude a scenario where GJ 1214b has a H-rich envelope with heavy elements that are sequestered below a cloud/haze layer, we compare K-band observations with models of H_2 collision-induced absorption in an atmosphere for a range of temperatures. While we find no evidence for deviation from a flat spectrum (slope s = 0.0016+/-0.0038), an H_2 dominated upper atmosphere (< 60 mbar) cannot be excluded. More precise observations at < 0.7 micron and in the K-band as well as a uniform analysis of all published data would be useful for establishing more robust limits on atmosphere models for GJ 1214b.