= Dimitar Sasselov
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<Dimitar Sasselov> studies the physics of <exoplanets> and their <atmospheres>. With <Sara Seager>, he modeled how a transiting <gas giant>'s atmosphere would imprint absorption features on the host <star>'s <radiation spectrum>.
During an <exoplanet transit>, a small fraction of the stellar <light> passes through <gas> above the planetary limb. Strong atomic absorption can therefore make the apparent blocking area depend on <wavelength>. Their calculation identified promising <sodium>, <potassium> and <helium> features and emphasized the role of cloud height in interpreting the signal.<Theoretical Transmission Spectra During Extrasolar Giant Planet Transits by Sara Seager and Dimitar Sasselov>[Abstract: atmospheric transmission geometry, strong absorption signatures and cloud-depth constraint]{ref}
\Image[https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum6286/files/styles/hwp_4_5__320x400/public/astronomy/files/2-dimitar_sasselov.jpg?itok=bdVD5f0G]
{title=Portrait of <Dimitar Sasselov>}
{description=External portrait hosted by Harvard University Department of Astronomy.}
{source=https://astronomy.fas.harvard.edu/people/dimitar-sasselov}
{width=250}
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