Exocast-82b: Exoplanet Emission and the paradigm shift of JWST with Dr Megan Weiner Mansfield

For this episode the Exocast team are joined by Dr Megan Weiner Mansfield from the University of Maryland, USA. Megan’s work focuses on the measurement of exoplanet atmospheres with a particular look at the eclipse as the planet passes behind the star and we can measure the thermal dayside of tidally locked giants. We talk about the paradigm shift that JWST has brought to the field and some really cool techniques that can be used to dive into the atmospheres of these alien worlds more. In addition, as always we ask our guest to adopt an exoplanet into our Exocast family with Megan choosing GJ 486b – listen in to find out why! Megan completed a PhD at the University of Chicago in Geophysical Science before being awarded a NASA Sagan Fellowship which she took to the University of Arizona and later awarded a 51 Pegasi Fellowship at Arizona State University. She is now faculty at the University of Maryland where her group works on methods of measuring exoplanet atmospheres from observations and theory. Do you have a question we didn’t ask? Join in the discussion in the comments below, and find us on bluesky. You can also get your hands on Exocast merchandise at exocast.threadless.com Exocast is edited by musician/composer Fergus Hall (https://www.fergushallmusic.com) and is supported by listener donations at buymeacoffee.com/exocast. We cannot make the show without your support and it is very much appreciated.