Extrasolar Giant Planet and Brown Dwarf Models

TL;DR

This paper presents theoretical models of gas giants and brown dwarfs, detailing their structure, spectra, and evolution, to aid in the direct detection of these extrasolar objects using space and ground-based telescopes.

Contribution

It provides new structural, spectral, and evolutionary models of gas giants and brown dwarfs, supporting observational search strategies.

Findings

Models characterize spectral signatures of exoplanets and brown dwarfs.

Results inform observational strategies for space telescopes like SIRTF, ISO, and HST.

Theoretical calculations enhance understanding of exoplanet and brown dwarf properties.

Abstract

With the discovery of the companions of 51 Peg, 55 Cnc, $\tau$ Boo, $\upsilon$ And, 70 Vir, 47 UMa, and Gl229, evolutionary and spectral models of gas giants and/or brown dwarfs with masses from 0.3 through 60 times that of Jupiter assume a new and central role in the emerging field of extrasolar planetary studies. In this contribution, we describe the structural, spectral, and evolutionary characteristics of such exotic objects, as determined by our recent theoretical calculations. These calculations can be used to establish direct search strategies via SIRTF, ISO, and HST (NICMOS), and via various ground-based adaptive optics and interferometric platforms planned for the near future.