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Incoming links: Reflected-light planetary phase curve
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2015 iii Paper 59 4 c Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
- Muted near-infrared molecular bands: exoplanet transmission spectra across approximately –, or a broader – interval, can show weak water features because an opaque exoplanet cloud deck truncates the atmospheric annulus before the gas becomes transparent in the continuum.
- A rising transit radius towards blue wavelengths: optical exoplanet transmission spectroscopy over roughly – can show a Rayleigh scattering or aerosol slope from small haze particles. Larger particles can instead give a nearly wavelength-independent, grey continuum.
- Enhanced reflected light: an optical exoplanet secondary eclipse or reflected-light planetary phase curve observation around – can indicate a large geometric albedo and wavelength-dependent reflection from bright condensate exoplanet clouds.
Cloud particles can scatter or absorb, so not every atmospheric haze makes a high-albedo planet. Weak molecular bands alone also admit low abundance or high mean molecular weight; a consistent spectral combination is stronger evidence than a single signature.