Joint Astrophysics Colloquium

Joint Astrophysics Seminar

Hot Jupiters: Atmospheres and Circulation Regimes

Kristen Menou

Columbia

Hot Jupiters are wonderful planetary science laboratories: what would happen to our Jupiter if it were moved closer to our Sun, within the orbit of Mercury? Until recently, this was only a thought experiment. Thanks to a series of observational breakthroughs with the Spitzer Space Telescope, however, we now have data to constrain the unusual atmospheric conditions and the unique circulation regime present on extrasolar hot Jupiters. I will describe the current observational and theoretical state of affairs and will conclude with a promising note on the future of this emerging field, thanks to the advent of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).