29 April: Daniel Valentine

Speaker: Daniel Valentine (University of Bristol)

Date: Wednesday 29 April 2026

Time: 15:00

Location: Physics 3.21 Berry

Unlocking Hidden Dimensions: Mapping the Dayside Dynamics and Temperatures of Giant Exoplanets with Space-Based Observatories

Transiting exoplanets have traditionally been interpreted in 1D, limiting our understanding of their complex and dynamic atmospheres. Eclipse mapping exploits the geometry of secondary eclipse to create 2D (longitude-latitude) and 3D (+pressure) thermal profiles of their dayside atmospheres. In this seminar, I will show the application of this technique to the hot Jupiter WASP-17b, using JWST NIRISS/SOSS, NIRSpec/G395H, and MIRI/LRS to construct a comprehensive 3D map of its dayside atmosphere from 10^-6 to 10^-1 bar. By measuring key observables like the day-night temperature gradient and hotspot offset, and tracing their variance with pressure, I will demonstrate how eclipse mapping enables us to map and contextualise the global atmospheric dynamics. I will then close with a look forward to the future of eclipse mapping; in particular, the potential for a population-level mapping survey of ~100 targets using ESA’s dedicated exoplanet mission, Ariel, and how this will revolutionise our demographic understanding of their atmospheric dynamics.