Speaker:
Kim Bott
Institution:
University of Washington
Speaker Link:
Date:
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Time:
4:00 pm
Location:
NS2 1201
Abstract:
Although it is frequently omitted from models, polarimetry (to measure light as a vector) is central to accurate retrievals and degeneracy breaking in the characterization of Solar System objects, exoplanets, planetary disks, and stars. Its omission can produce errors in descriptions phase functions, molecular line depth, and albedos in observations. Its inclusion improves the observers’ certainty in cloud presence, height, and characterization, and can produce a more certain detection of ocean glint than methods which omit polarization. With several contemporary and near future observatories planning to add polarimeters to their instrument suites, the improvement and expansion of our modelling software to accompany this shift in observing techniques is more pressing than ever.
Although it is frequently omitted from models, polarimetry (to measure light as a vector) is central to accurate retrievals and degeneracy breaking in the characterization of Solar System objects, exoplanets, planetary disks, and stars. Its omission can produce errors in descriptions phase functions, molecular line depth, and albedos in observations. Its inclusion improves the observers’ certainty in cloud presence, height, and characterization, and can produce a more certain detection of ocean glint than methods which omit polarization. With several contemporary and near future observatories planning to add polarimeters to their instrument suites, the improvement and expansion of our modelling software to accompany this shift in observing techniques is more pressing than ever.
Host:
Paul Robertson