The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is revolutionizing the field of exoplanet atmospheric science with its unprecedented stability and wavelength coverage. From revealing previously unexplored chemistry to signatures of 3-dimensional processes, exoplanet atmospheric observations, in particular from transiting exoplanets, are providing key insights to understand the interiors of these distant worlds. In this talk, I will showcase how current findings from JWST are reshaping not only our understanding of exoplanet atmospheres, but also how we approach interpreting and modelling exoplanet observations themselves. In addition, I will discuss the exciting new frontiers being explored by JWST observations of rocky and gas giant exoplanet atmospheres. Finally, I will discuss the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead for the field with cutting edge technology such as JWST’s at hand, and highlight how these hold the promise of bringing us closer than ever to contextualizing our Solar System within the vast exoplanetary landscape.

Speaker: Néstor Espinoza (STScI)

The 2025 Spring Colloquium talks are held on Wednesdays at 3:00 PM. This colloquium is hosted by STScI and will be held as an in-person and virtual event.

You may join in person at STScI’s John N. Bahcall Auditorium or virtually on STScI's Live Science Events Facebook page.

Please direct questions or comments to contact above. The 2025 Spring Colloquium Committee members are: Nestor Espinoza (STScI), Joel Green (STScI), Nick Indriolo (STScI), Elena Manjavacas (STScI), Namrata Roy (JHU), Kevin Schlaufman (JHU), Ethan Vishniac (JHU).