Measuring Elemental Abundances of JWST Target Stars for Exoplanet Characterization I. FGK Stars

TL;DR

This study derives detailed chemical abundance profiles of 17 FGK stars using archival spectra to better understand their planetary systems in the context of upcoming JWST exoplanet observations.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed chemical abundance analysis of FGK stars targeted by JWST exoplanet programs, correcting for non-LTE effects to inform planet formation studies.

Findings

Abundance profiles for C, N, O, Na, Mg, Si, S, K, and Fe are derived.

Non-LTE corrections significantly impact certain elemental abundances.

Results will aid in understanding planet composition and migration patterns.

Abstract

With the launch of the JWST, we will obtain more precise data for exoplanets than ever before. However, this data can only inform and revolutionize our understanding of exoplanets when placed in the larger context of planet-star formation. Therefore, gaining a deeper understanding of their host stars is equally important and synergistic with the upcoming JWST data. We present detailed chemical abundance profiles of 17 FGK stars that will be observed in exoplanet-focused Cycle 1 JWST observer programs. The elements analyzed (C, N, O, Na, Mg, Si, S, K, and Fe) were specifically chosen as being informative to the composition and formation of planets. Using archival high-resolution spectra from a variety of sources, we perform an LTE equivalent width analysis to derive these abundances. We look to literature sources to correct the abundances for non-LTE effects, especially for O, S, and K, where the the corrections are large (often $> 0.2~\textrm{dex}$). With these abundances and the ratios thereof, we will begin to paint clearer pictures of the planetary systems analyzed by this work. With our analysis, we can gain insight into the composition and extent of migration of Hot Jupiters, as well as the possibility of carbon-rich terrestrial worlds.