Characterizing the Atmospheres of Low Surface Gravity M-dwarfs

This study focuses on characterizing the atmospheres of low surface gravity M-dwarfs, which are promising hosts for exoplanets. The research delves into why low gravity M-dwarfs appear brighter in the infrared than typical M-dwarfs, presenting an improved base model with added opacities. The findings suggest little change in spectra with lower gravity, emphasizing the importance of vertical mixing ratios. Future work involves fitting low gravity targets and enhancing models with cloud/dust layers for better observational replication.

• M-dwarfs
• Exoplanets
• Low gravity
• Atmospheric characterization
• Infrared brightness

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1. Characterizing the Atmospheres of Low Surface Gravity M-dwarfs Isabela Huckabee Mentors: Aishwarya Iyer and Michael Line Arizona State University 2021 Arizona NASA Space Grant Consortium Syposium 4/17/2021

2. Why Study Low Gravity M-dwarfs? M-dwarf stars are most probable host for finding exoplanets M-dwarf atmospheres dominated by molecules Why do low gravity M-dwarfs appear brighter in the infrared than typical M-dwarfs (Faherty et al., 2016)?

3. Improved overall base model: added opacities (reaction rates) Previous model Extended capabilities down to low surface gravities Our model Low gravity models (Iyer et al., in prep)

4. Little change in spectra Lower gravity = hotter internally High gravity Low gravity Low temp High temp

5. Low-gravity minigrid slices Varying Teff (left) Varying metallicity (right)

6. Vertical Mixing Ratios How much stuff is in the atmosphere? TiO appears at higher altitudes in lower gravity

7. Future Work Start fits with low gravity targets (in progress) Simplified or cloud-free models are not enough to reproduce observations Adding a cloud/dust layer to base M- dwarf model code

8. Thank you!