Exoplanet atmospheres and demographics in the 2040s

TL;DR

This paper discusses how upcoming observational capabilities, especially Gaia and interferometry, will enable detailed study of young exoplanets' atmospheres and demographics, shedding light on their formation processes.

Contribution

It highlights the potential of future observations to provide a comprehensive understanding of exoplanet formation through atmospheric and demographic analysis.

Findings

Gaia will identify hundreds of nearby young exoplanets.

Interferometry will enable precise mass and atmospheric measurements.

This approach will address key questions in giant planet formation.

Abstract

Direct observations of exoplanets probe the demographics and atmospheric composition of young self-luminous companions, yielding insight into their formation and early evolution history. In the near future, Gaia will reveal hundreds of nearby young exoplanets amenable to direct follow-up observations. Long-baseline interferometry with current and future facilities is best capable of exploiting this unique synergy which is poised to deliver a statistical sample of benchmark planets with precise dynamical masses and in-depth atmospheric characterization. This will enable tackling the longstanding question of how giant planets form from multiple angles simultaneously, shining light on the complex physical processes underlying planet formation.