Dr Xianyu Tan

Abstract:

We present JWST NIRSpec/PRISM integral field unit time-resolved observations of 2M1207 A and b (TWA 27), an ∼10 Myr binary system consisting of an ∼2500 K substellar primary hosting an ∼1300 K companion. Our data provide 20 time-resolved spectra over an observation spanning 12.56 hr. We provide an empirical characterization for the spectra of both objects across time. For 2M1207 A, nonlinear trend models are statistically favored within the ranges 0.6-2.3 μm and 3.8-5.3 μm. However, most of the periods constrained from sinusoidal models exceed the observing window, setting a lower limit of 12.56 hr. We find the data at Hα and beyond 4.35 μm show a moderate time correlation, as well as a pair of light curves at 0.73-0.80 μm and 3.36-3.38 μm. For 2M1207 b, light curves integrated across 0.86-1.77 μm and 3.29-4.34 μm support linear trend models. Following the interpretation of Z. Zhang et al., we model the 2M1207 b data with two 1D atmospheric components, both with silicate and iron condensates. The model of time variability due to changes in the cloud filling factor shows broad consistency with the variability amplitudes derived from our data. Our amplitudes, however, disagree with the models at ≈0.86-1 μm. While an additional model component such as rainout chemistry may be considered here, our analysis is limited by low signal-to-noise ratio. Our results demonstrate the capability of JWST to simultaneously monitor the spectral variability of a planetary-mass companion and host at low contrast.

Abstract:

Large-amplitude variations are commonly observed in the atmospheres of directly imaged exoplanets and brown dwarfs. VHS 1256B, the most variable known planet-mass object, exhibits a near-infrared flux change of nearly 40%, with red color and silicate features revealed in recent JWST spectra, challenging current theories. Using a general circulation model, we demonstrate that VHS 1256B's atmosphere is dominated by planetary-scale dust storms persisting for tens of days, with large patchy clouds propagating with equatorial waves. This weather pattern, distinct from the banded structures seen on solar system giants, simultaneously explains the observed spectra and critical features in the rotational light curves, including the large amplitude, irregular evolution, and wavelength dependence, as well as the variability trends observed in near-infrared color-magnitude diagrams of dusty substellar atmospheres.

Abstract:

Highly irradiated giant exoplanets known ‘ultrahot Jupiters’ are anticipated to exhibit large variations of atmospheric temperature and chemistry as a function of longitude, latitude and altitude. Previous observations have hinted at these variations, but the existing data have been fundamentally restricted to probing hemisphere-integrated spectra, thereby providing only coarse information on atmospheric gradients. Here we present a spectroscopic eclipse map of an extrasolar planet, resolving the atmosphere in multiple dimensions simultaneously. We analyse a secondary eclipse of the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-18b observed with the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph instrument on the JWST. The mapping reveals weaker longitudinal temperature gradients than were predicted by theoretical models, indicating the importance of hydrogen dissociation and/or nightside clouds in shaping global thermal emission. In addition, we identify two thermally distinct regions of the planet’s atmosphere: a ‘hotspot’ surrounding the substellar point and a ‘ring’ near the dayside limbs. The hotspot region shows a strongly inverted thermal structure due to the presence of optical absorbers and a water abundance marginally lower than the hemispheric average, in accordance with theoretical predictions. The ring region shows colder temperatures and poorly constrained chemical abundances. Similar future analyses will reveal the three-dimensional thermal, chemical and dynamical properties of a broad range of exoplanet atmospheres.

Abstract:

JWST’s unprecedented sensitivity enables precise spectrophotometric monitoring of substellar worlds, revealing atmospheric variability driven by mechanisms operating across different pressure levels. This same precision now permits exceptionally sensitive searches for transiting exosatellites—small terrestrial companions to these worlds. Using a novel simultaneous dual-band search method to address host variability, we present a search for transiting exosatellites in an 8 hr JWST/MIRI LRS light curve of the nearby (2.0 pc) substellar binary WISE J1049–5319 AB, composed of two ∼30 MJup brown dwarfs separated by 3.5 au and viewed nearly edge-on. Although we detect no statistically significant transits, our injection/recovery tests demonstrate sensitivity to satellites as small as 0.275 R⊕ (0.96 RIo or ∼1 lunar radius), corresponding to 300 ppm transit depths, and satellite-to-host mass ratios >10⁻⁶. This approach paves the way for detecting Galilean moon analogs around directly imaged brown dwarfs, free-floating planets, and wide-orbit exoplanets, dozens of which are already scheduled for JWST light-curve monitoring. In our solar system, each giant planet hosts on average 3.5 moons above this threshold, suggesting that JWST now probes a regime where such companions are expected to be abundant. The technique and sensitivities demonstrated here mark a critical step toward detecting exosatellites and ultimately enabling constraints on the occurrence rates of small terrestrial worlds orbiting 1–70 MJup hosts.