Transmission spectroscopy of the hot Jupiter TrES-3 b: Disproof of an overly large Rayleigh-like feature

TL;DR

This study refutes previous claims of a large Rayleigh-like feature in TrES-3 b's atmosphere, showing a flatter transmission spectrum and ruling out stellar spots as the cause of earlier observed anomalies.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive reanalysis of TrES-3 b's transmission spectrum using multiple datasets, demonstrating the absence of the previously reported strong short-wavelength absorption feature.

Findings

The new spectrum shows a much lower amplitude slope than earlier studies.

The previously reported increase in absorption towards blue wavelengths is not intrinsic.

Long-term monitoring indicates stellar spots do not significantly affect the spectrum.

Abstract

Context. Transit events of extrasolar planets offer the opportunity to study the composition of their atmospheres. Previous work on transmission spectroscopy of the close-in gas giant TrES-3 b revealed an increase in absorption towards blue wavelengths of very large amplitude in terms of atmospheric pressure scale heights, too large to be explained by Rayleigh-scattering in the planetary atmosphere. Aims. We present a follow-up study of the optical transmission spectrum of the hot Jupiter TrES-3 b to investigate the strong increase in opacity towards short wavelengths found by a previous study. Furthermore, we aim to estimate the effect of stellar spots on the transmission spectrum. Methods. This work uses previously published long slit spectroscopy transit data of the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and published broad band observations as well as new observations in different bands from the near-UV to the near-IR, for a homogeneous transit light curve analysis. Additionally, a long-term photometric monitoring of the TrES-3 host star was performed. Results. Our newly analysed GTC spectroscopic transit observations show a slope of much lower amplitude than previous studies. We conclude from our results the previously reported increasing signal towards short wavelengths is not intrinsic to the TrES-3 system. Furthermore, the broad band spectrum favours a flat spectrum. Long-term photometric monitoring rules out a significant modification of the transmission spectrum by unocculted star spots.