Probing extrasolar weather with time-resolved spectroscopy

by Xueqing Chen (University of Edinburgh)

Wednesday 4 Feb 2026, 21:00 → 21:20 Asia/Shanghai

Tsung-Dao Lee Institute

Time:  21:00-21:20 (UTC+8), 4 February 2026, Wednesday
Host: Dong Lai
Location: Online
Join Tencent Meeting：https://meeting.tencent.com/dm/rXLIkv2nzsHN
Meeting ID: 192651862 (no password）

Abstract:

The exploration of extrasolar worlds aims to address a fundamental question: are we alone in the Universe? A crucial step toward this goal is understanding their complex weather processes and developing the tools required to interpret next-generation data. Current spectroscopic monitoring of brown dwarfs and directly imaged exoplanets has revealed complex atmospheric phenomena, including clouds, hot spots, and chemical disequilibrium. Using high-resolution spectroscopic observations from the ground and 1–14 micron spectroscopic monitoring from JWST, I will show how these time-variable spectra reveal a 3D picture of weather processes across different atmospheric layers in a benchmark world. I will then discuss the insights gained from current weather studies and outline the next steps toward true 3D characterization and the extension of such studies to cooler, planet-like regimes.

Biography:

Xueqing is currently a PhD student at University of Edinburgh, working with Prof. Beth Biller. Her research focuses on the atmospheres of brown dwarfs and directly imaged exoplanets, combining spectroscopic observations with predictions from 3D circulation models. Before coming to Edinburgh, she earned an MSc in Physics from ETH Zurich and a BSc from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen.