Sultana Pradhan will confirm her new Proper identity when she returns from her trip in a couple of weeks. -1033219062 Assigned ID: 818 ----- Attempting Submission 1 (Fri Apr 10 20:57:35 GMT 2015) ----- We will use existing high-resolution STIS and COS spectra of cool stars with accurately measured angular diameters to test UV continuous opacity routines in widely-used spectrum synthesis codes, including our own SME package. Our preliminary analysis of the Sun and alpha Cen A shows that the flux level in strong line cores is well modeled, but the flux level in the "continuum" between strong lines is too bright by factors or two or more in the UV. We will incorporate modern cross-section calculations and lab measurements into our continuous opacity package. We will validate these changes by comparing new synthetic flux spectra with observed spectra of inactive stars, getting the necessary scale factor from accurately measured angular diameters. With new synthetic spectra for inactive stars, we will also study how the observed UV flux excess depends on stellar activity. We will assess the impact of remaining errors in model stellar spectra by computing two sets of exoplanet photochemistry models, one illuminated by observed stellar spectra and the other illuminated by our new model spectra. We will identify which errors in our model stellar spectra have the largest impact on abundances of spectroscopically-active photochemical species for a variety of exoplanet types. This feedback will help prioritize future work on opacities and stellar models. This project will help build new connections between the atomic physics, stellar spectroscopy, and exoplanet atmosphere communities. COOL STARS 0 Regular false true false false false SUPPORTED