CO, H$_2$O, and CH$_4$ in the Dusty Atmosphere of a $\le$5 Myr-old Exoplanet

TL;DR

This study presents near-infrared spectra of a very young exoplanet, revealing atmospheric constituents like CO, H$_2$O, and CH$_4$, and providing insights into its temperature, dust presence, and spectral similarities to other young planetary systems.

Contribution

First detailed near-infrared spectral analysis of a 1-3 Myr-old planetary-mass companion, identifying atmospheric molecules and dust effects in a very young exoplanet.

Findings

Detection of CO and possible H$_2$O and CH$_4$ in the atmosphere.

Estimated effective temperature around 1200K, indicating an L-T transition.

Spectral resemblance to HR 8799 planets, with a notable H-band flux deficit.

Abstract

Very young massive planets are sufficiently luminous by their internal heat of formation to permit detailed studies, including spectroscopy of their atmospheres with large telescopes at sufficient resolution ($\lambda / \Delta \lambda \gtrsim 1000$) to identify major constituents to inform models of planet formation and early evolution. We obtained 1-2.4$\mu$m ($YJHK$) spectra of the planetary-mass "b" companion of 2MASS~J04372171+2651014, a 1-3 Myr-old M dwarf member of the Taurus star-forming region, and one of the youngest such objects discovered to date. These indicate the presence of CO and possibly H$_2$O and CH$_4$ in the atmosphere, all suggesting a $T_{\rm eff}$ of around 1200K, characteristic of a L-T transition spectral type and consistent with previous estimates based on its luminosity and age. The absence or attenuation of spectral features at shorter wavelengths suggests the presence of micron-size dust, consistent with the object's red color. The spectrum of 2M0437b resembles those of the HR 8799 planets, especially the innermost "b" planet, with the exception of a pronounced flux deficit in the $H$-band of uncertain origin.