The PEPSI Exoplanet Transit Survey (PETS) – V. New Na D transmission spectra indicate a quieter atmosphere on HD 189733b

Absorption lines from exoplanet atmospheres observed in transmission allow us to study atmospheric characteristics such as winds. We present a new high-resolution transit time-series of HD 189733b, acquired with the PEPSI instrument at the LBT and analyse the transmission spectrum around the Na D lines. We model the spectral signature of the RM-CLV-effect using synthetic PHOENIX spectra based on spherical LTE atmospheric models. We find an Na D absorption signature between the second and third contact but not during the ingress and egress phases, which casts doubt on the planetary origin of the signal. Presupposing a planetary origin of the signal, the results suggest a weak day-to-nightside streaming wind in the order of 0.7 km/s and a moderate super-rotational streaming wind in the order of 3-4 km/s, challenging claims of prevailing strong winds on HD 189733b.

The HD 189733b transit observation. Top: Continuum signal-to-noise ratio per combined pixel (95 per cent quantile). Bottom: The RM effect. Dashed vertical lines show the contact points 1st–4th (cyan) and 2nd–3rd (purple).

Read more: Keles et al. 2024, MNRAS, 530, 4826