The Very Low Albedo of WASP-12b From Spectral Eclipse Observations with $\textit{Hubble}$

TL;DR

This study uses Hubble spectral eclipse observations to place strict upper limits on WASP-12b's optical albedo, challenging previous atmospheric models and revealing diversity among hot Jupiter atmospheres.

Contribution

First optical eclipse spectrum of WASP-12b providing stringent albedo limits, testing and ruling out certain atmospheric models, and highlighting diversity among hot Jupiters.

Findings

WASP-12b's geometric albedo is less than 0.064 across 290-570 nm.

The data rules out aluminum-oxide haze and cloud-free Rayleigh scattering models.

Results contrast with the higher albedo observed in HD 189733b, indicating diverse atmospheric properties.

Abstract

We present an optical eclipse observation of the hot Jupiter WASP-12b using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope. These spectra allow us to place an upper limit of $A_g < 0.064$ (97.5% confidence level) on the planet's white light geometric albedo across 290--570 nm. Using six wavelength bins across the same wavelength range also produces stringent limits on the geometric albedo for all bins. However, our uncertainties in eclipse depth are $\sim$40% greater than the Poisson limit and may be limited by the intrinsic variability of the Sun-like host star --- the solar luminosity is known to vary at the $10^{-4}$ level on a timescale of minutes. We use our eclipse depth limits to test two previously suggested atmospheric models for this planet: Mie scattering from an aluminum-oxide haze or cloud-free Rayleigh scattering. Our stringent nondetection rules out both models and is consistent with thermal emission plus weak Rayleigh scattering from atomic hydrogen and helium. Our results are in stark contrast with those for the much cooler HD 189733b, the only other hot Jupiter with spectrally resolved reflected light observations; those data showed an increase in albedo with decreasing wavelength. The fact that the first two exoplanets with optical albedo spectra exhibit significant differences demonstrates the importance of spectrally resolved reflected light observations and highlights the great diversity among hot Jupiters.