Characterising Exoplanets Using Ground-based & Space-based Facilities

PhD by Publication

Lowson, Nataliea. 2024. Characterising Exoplanets Using Ground-based & Space-based Facilities. PhD by Publication Doctor of Philosophy. University of Southern Queensland. https://doi.org/10.26192/z8v0y
Title

Characterising Exoplanets Using Ground-based & Space-based Facilities

TypePhD by Publication
AuthorsLowson, Nataliea
Supervisor
1. FirstA/Pr Duncan Wright
2. SecondDr George Zhou
3. ThirdDr Chelsea Huang
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Qualification NameDoctor of Philosophy
Number of Pages116
Year2024
PublisherUniversity of Southern Queensland
Place of PublicationAustralia
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.26192/z8v0y
Abstract

Exoplanets are diverse and complex, with the components such as planetary formation, orbital dynamics, and atmospheric compositions being detectable though primary transiting events. This thesis embraces a multifaceted approach towards exoplanet characterisation, commencing with the atmospheric analysis of an ultra-hot Jupiter using archival data obtained from 1.5 m ground-based telescope. We recover strong detections of Fe I, Fe II, and Mg I while also modelling a peculiar Hα transit. Subsequently we detect and confirm two new sub-Neptunes around an adolescent K-star using photometry from TESS and CHEOPS. Our analysis evaluates that inner planet resides in the sparsely populated radius gap, indicating that it could be undergoing significant atmospheric evaporation. Lastly, we present the preliminary target preparation for the upcoming Twinkle Space Mission, focusing on ephemerides refinement and monitoring for transit timing variations. Overall, this work contributes towards understanding exoplanets using a diverse range of analysis techniques from ground and space-based facilities.

KeywordsExoplanets; Atmospheres; sub-Neptunes; ultra-hot Jupiters; Transit timing
Related Output
Has partMultiepoch Detections of the Extended Atmosphere and Transmission Spectra of KELT-9b with a 1.5 m Telescope
Has partTwo mini-Neptunes Transiting the Adolescent K-star HIP 113103 Confirmed with TESS and CHEOPS
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020510107. Planetary science (excl. solar system and planetary geology)
Public Notes

File reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher/author/creator.

Byline AffiliationsCentre for Astrophysics (Operations)
Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences
Centre for Astrophysics
School of Mathematics, Physics and Computing
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Two mini-Neptunes Transiting the Adolescent K-star HIP 113103 Confirmed with TESS and CHEOPS
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