Max Planck Institute for Astronomy - Annual Report 2007

36 II. Highlights
F / F 12m
4
3
2
1
0
8 10 12
Wavelength [m]
Fig. II.4.4: Both independently obtained planetary spectra,
normed to an averaged flow at 12 µm wavelength. The absolute
spectra match very well with each other.
Fig. II.4.5: The absolute spectrum of the exoplanet HD 2095458b.
It essentially appears as a continuum; emission lines between
7.5 and 8.5 µm are indicated.
Flux [mJy]
1
0.5
0
8
14
wavelength range of 7.5 µm to 15.2 µm with an infrared
spectrograph on board the sp i t z e r space telescope. In
doing so, approximately 700 spectra were taken, each
with a one minute time exposure. Before subtracting
the pure stellar spectrum from the overall spectrum
(star plus planet) a very complex analysis of the dataset
was required during which systematic errors had to be
eliminated. It depends on the quality of the data analysis
whether the planet’s spectrum obtained is reliable in the
end and permits genuine spectral characteristics to be
recognized.
10 12
Wavelength [m]
14