Characterization of Exoplanets: Secondary Eclipses

TL;DR

This paper reviews how secondary eclipses of exoplanets are used to determine their physical properties, summarizing techniques, key results since 2005, and future prospects in the field.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of secondary eclipse characterization methods and compiles all known detections up to 2017, highlighting advancements and future directions.

Findings

Detection of secondary eclipses has enabled measurement of exoplanet atmospheres.

The technique has revealed diverse atmospheric compositions and thermal properties.

The chapter summarizes 12 years of observational results and future outlooks.

Abstract

When an exoplanet passes behind its host star, we can measure the time of the occultation, its depth, and its color. In this chapter we describe how these observables can be used to deduce physical characteristics of the planet such as its averaged dayside emission, departures from uniform disk illumination, or a precise measurement of the orbital eccentricity. This technique became a reality in 2005; in this chapter we describe the basics of the technique, its main results in the last 12 years, and the prospects for the years to come. This chapter includes a Table with references to all published detections of secondary eclipses until December 2017.