Characterising a World Within the Hot Neptune Desert: Transit Observations of LTT 9779 b with HST WFC3

TL;DR

This study analyzes the atmosphere of the rare hot Neptune LTT 9779 b using HST WFC3 data, detecting molecular signatures and refining its orbital parameters, with future JWST observations promising deeper insights.

Contribution

First atmospheric characterization of LTT 9779 b in the hot Neptune desert, identifying key molecules and constraining atmospheric escape and orbital dynamics.

Findings

Detection of H₂O, CO₂, and FeH in the atmosphere.

No evidence of atmospheric escape via Helium line.

Refined orbital parameters with no signs of decay or precession.

Abstract

We present an atmospheric analysis of LTT 9779 b, a rare planet situated in the hot Neptune desert, that has been observed with HST WFC3 G102 and G141. The combined transmission spectrum, which covers 0.8 - 1.6 $\mu$m, shows a gradual increase in transit depth with wavelength. Our preferred atmospheric model shows evidence for H$_{\rm 2}$O, CO$_{\rm 2}$ and FeH with a significance of 3.1 $\sigma$, 2.4 $\sigma$ and 2.1 $\sigma$, respectively. In an attempt to constrain the rate of atmospheric escape for this planet, we search for the 1.083 $\mu$m Helium line in the G102 data but find no evidence of excess absorption that would indicate an escaping atmosphere using this tracer. We refine the orbital ephemerides of LTT 9779 b using our HST data and observations from TESS, searching for evidence of orbital decay or apsidal precession, which is not found. The phase-curve observation of LTT 9779 b with JWST NIRISS should provide deeper insights into the atmosphere of this planet and the expected atmospheric escape might be detected with further observations concentrated on other tracers such as Lyman $\alpha$.