BOWIE-ALIGN: Sub-solar C/O ratio and metallicity atmosphere of the misaligned hot Jupiter HAT-P-30b

TL;DR

This study presents JWST observations of the misaligned hot Jupiter HAT-P-30b, revealing a sub-solar C/O ratio and metallicity, challenging traditional planet formation models and suggesting alternative accretion scenarios.

Contribution

First JWST NIRSpec/G395H transmission spectrum of HAT-P-30b, providing detailed atmospheric composition analysis of a misaligned hot Jupiter.

Findings

Detection of H2O and CO2 absorption features.

Sub-solar C/O ratio (0.16--0.45) and metallicity (0.2--0.8×solar).

Challenges to traditional planet formation models.

Abstract

We present the JWST NIRSpec/G395H transmission spectrum of the misaligned hot Jupiter HAT-P-30b from 2.8--5.2 $\mu$m as part of the BOWIE-ALIGN survey, a comparative survey designed to probe the link between planet formation and atmospheric composition in samples of misaligned and aligned hot Jupiters orbiting F-type stars. Through independent data reductions and retrieval analyses, we find evidence for absorption features of H$_2$O and CO$_2$ in the atmosphere of HAT-P-30b. Our retrieved abundances are consistent with equilibrium chemistry, from which we infer a sub-solar C/O ratio (0.16--0.45), and sub-solar and sub-stellar metallicity (0.2--0.8$\times$solar, compared to a stellar metallicity of 1.1--1.6$\times$solar), with muted spectral features. This composition challenges formation models of continuous migration and accretion within a steady disc of stellar metallicity, and could be the result of low C/O ratio gas accretion within the water ice line, low metallicity accretion due to the trapping of volatiles further out in the disc, or the combined accretion of low metallicity gas and carbon-poor solids.