The PEPSI Exoplanet Transit Survey (PETS): III. The detection of Fe I, Cr I, and Ti I in the atmosphere of MASCARA-1 b through high-resolution emission spectroscopy

G. Scandariato, F. Borsa, A. S. Bonomo, B. S. Gaudi, Th Henning, I. Ilyin, M. C. Johnson, L. Malavolta, M. Mallonn, K. Molaverdikhani, V. Nascimbeni, J. Patience, L. Pino, K. Poppenhaeger, E. Schlawin, E. L. Shkolnik, D. Sicilia, A. Sozzetti, K. G. Strassmeier, C. VeilletJ. Wang, F. Yan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context. Hot giant planets such as MASCARA-1 b are expected to have thermally inverted atmospheres, which makes them perfect laboratories for atmospheric characterization through high-resolution spectroscopy. Nonetheless, previous attempts at detecting the atmosphere of MASCARA-1 b in transmission have led to negative results. Aims. We aim to detect the optical emission spectrum of MASCARA-1 b. Methods. We used the high-resolution spectrograph PEPSI to observe MASCARA-1 (spectral type A8) near the secondary eclipse of the planet. We cross-correlated the spectra with synthetic templates computed for several atomic and molecular species. Results. We detect Fe I, Cr I, and Ti I in the atmosphere of MASCARA-1 b with a S/N ≈ 7, 4, and 5, respectively, and confirm the expected systemic velocity of ≈ 13 km s-1 and the radial velocity semi-amplitude of MASCARA-1 b of ≈200 km s-1. The detection of Ti is of particular importance in the context of the recently proposed phenomenon of Ti cold-trapping below a certain planetary equilibrium temperature. Conclusions. We confirm the presence of an atmosphere around MASCARA-1 b through emission spectroscopy. We conclude that the atmospheric non-detection in transmission spectroscopy is due to the strong gravity of the planet and/or to the overlap between the planetary track and its Doppler shadow.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberA58
JournalAstronomy and astrophysics
Volume674
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2023

Keywords

  • Planets and satellites: atmospheres
  • Planets and satellites: composition
  • Planets and satellites: individual: MASCARA-1 b
  • Techniques: spectroscopic

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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