Summary
It is just over two decades since the first extrasolar planet was discovered; we have learnt that such planets are ubiquitous with (nearly?) every star in our local neighbourhood supporting a planetary system. These newly-discovered planets are generally unlike those in our Solar System. Astronomers have taken the first steps in characterising exoplanetary atmospheres through spectroscopy. The advent of new space missions, such as Ariel and WFIRST, and high performance observatories from space and the ground, such JWST and ELTs, allied to new techniques, will begin to answer fundamental questions about the composition, formation and properties of exoplanets through detailed spectroscopic. A prerequisite for advances to be made is the availability of the fundamental atomic and molecular data necessary for interpreting new observations. The unusual conditions found on most known exoplanets, involving elevated temperatures and high fluxes of stellar radiation, means the required data are missing and not readily measurable in the laboratory. The ExoMolHD project will use advanced molecular quantum mechanics allied to novel empirical techniques based on available experimental data to respond to the modern challenges of exoplanetary models and retrievals by providing extensive ``higher definition'' data. ExoMolHD will (a) provide precise wavelengths for key molecules applicable for use in high resolution spectroscopic studies performed by telescopes such as the VLT and ELTs; (b) predict accurate spectroscopic data on key isotopically-substituted species; (c) provide temperature-dependent pressure shifts and pressure broadening parameters; (d) compute photodissociation cross sections and photolysis rates both in and outside thermodynamic equilibrium and (e) develop appropriate database structures, including detailed opacities, k-tables and precomputed atmospheric models. We will act to ensure the widest possible utilisation of the data.
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More information & hyperlinks
| Web resources: | https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/883830 |
| Start date: | 01-09-2020 |
| End date: | 31-08-2025 |
| Total budget - Public funding: | 2 486 340,00 Euro - 2 486 340,00 Euro |
Cordis data
Original description
It is just over two decades since the first extrasolar planet was discovered; we have learnt that such planets are ubiquitous with (nearly?) every star in our local neighbourhood supporting a planetary system. These newly-discovered planets are generally unlike those in our Solar System. Astronomers have taken the first steps in characterising exoplanetary atmospheres through spectroscopy. The advent of new space missions, such as Ariel and WFIRST, and high performance observatories from space and the ground, such JWST and ELTs, allied to new techniques, will begin to answer fundamental questions about the composition, formation and properties of exoplanets through detailed spectroscopic. A prerequisite for advances to be made is the availability of the fundamental atomic and molecular data necessary for interpreting new observations. The unusual conditions found on most known exoplanets, involving elevated temperatures and high fluxes of stellar radiation, means the required data are missing and not readily measurable in the laboratory. The ExoMolHD project will use advanced molecular quantum mechanics allied to novel empirical techniques based on available experimental data to respond to the modern challenges of exoplanetary models and retrievals by providing extensive ``higher definition'' data. ExoMolHD will (a) provide precise wavelengths for key molecules applicable for use in high resolution spectroscopic studies performed by telescopes such as the VLT and ELTs; (b) predict accurate spectroscopic data on key isotopically-substituted species; (c) provide temperature-dependent pressure shifts and pressure broadening parameters; (d) compute photodissociation cross sections and photolysis rates both in and outside thermodynamic equilibrium and (e) develop appropriate database structures, including detailed opacities, k-tables and precomputed atmospheric models. We will act to ensure the widest possible utilisation of the data.Status
SIGNEDCall topic
ERC-2019-ADGUpdate Date
27-04-2024
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