There are a few planetary systems already observed with JWST transmission spectra, such as TRAPPIST-1, and K2-18. As can be seen in [1,2], stellar activity (flares in particular) is the key limitation to measuring exoatmospheres of planets orbiting M dwarfs (e.g. TRAPPIST-1). This is also shown in [3].
There has been some controversy in the community when attributing signal excursions in planetary transits either to flares or starspots signatures. See for example the assigned starspot apparently mistaken in [4], which is summarized in [5].
When observing a transmission spectra, the previous controversy and the key limitation can imply biases in the exoatmospheric retrieval of certain species, especially biomarkers. Therefore, improving the measurement of flares/starspots signals is crucial.
I propose the following items in this MSc thesis:
1-compile as many JWST transmission and available spectra as possible from M-dwarfs with rocky planets. A semiautomatic data gathering process which queryies several databases (e.g. [6]) should be tailored for this purpose.
2-conduct the necessary spectral analysis to get the transit light curves in broadband and H_alpha bands, as it is done in [2], with all systems observed by the technique of JWST transmission in the previous item.
3-conduct exoatmospheric retrieval for all exoplanets observed and analyzed in items 1- and 2-.
4-compare the relative flux increased by the flare at the peak versus the typical atmospheric signal [7] at certain species, especially biomarkers. This will give you a quantitative goodness metric for a flare fit along the spectral range to compare to these species flux.
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