Observing transiting planets with JWST -- Prime targets and their synthetic spectral observations

TL;DR

This paper assesses JWST's potential to characterize exoplanet atmospheres through synthetic spectral observations, identifying key spectral features and the number of transits needed for different planet types and atmospheric scenarios.

Contribution

It provides self-consistent atmospheric models and synthetic JWST observations for diverse exoplanets, demonstrating JWST's capability to distinguish atmospheric compositions and cloud properties.

Findings

Less than 10 transits can reveal molecular features in cloudy planets like GJ 1214b.

Single MIRI transit may detect silicate grains in hot Jupiter atmospheres.

1-4 eclipse measurements can differentiate atmospheric inversion models.

Abstract

The James Webb Space Telescope will enable astronomers to obtain exoplanet spectra of unprecedented precision. Especially the MIRI instrument may shed light on the nature of the cloud particles obscuring planetary transmission spectra in the optical and near-infrared. We provide self-consistent atmospheric models and synthetic JWST observations for prime exoplanet targets in order to identify spectral regions of interest and estimate the number of transits needed to distinguish between model setups. We select targets which span a wide range in planetary temperature and surface gravity, ranging from super-Earths to giant planets, and have a high expected SNR. For all targets we vary the enrichment, C/O ratio, presence of optical absorbers (TiO/VO) and cloud treatment. We calculate atmospheric structures and emission and transmission spectra for all targets and use a radiometric model to obtain simulated observations. We analyze JWST's ability to distinguish between various scenarios. We find that in very cloudy planets such as GJ 1214b less than 10 transits with NIRSpec may be enough to reveal molecular features. Further, the presence of small silicate grains in atmospheres of hot Jupiters may be detectable with a single JWST MIRI transit. For a more detailed characterization of such particles less than 10 transits are necessary. Finally, we find that some of the hottest hot Jupiters are well fitted by models which neglect the redistribution of the insolation and harbor inversions, and that 1-4 eclipse measurements with NIRSpec are needed to distinguish between the inversion models. Wet thus demonstrate the capabilities of JWST for solving some of the most intriguing puzzles in current exoplanet atmospheric research. Further, by publishing all models calculated for this study we enable the community to carry out similar or retrieval analyses for all planets included in our target list.