title: Molecular opacities for exoplanets.
abstract: Spectroscopic observations of exoplanets are now possible by transit methods and direct emission. Spectroscopic requirements for exoplanets are reviewed based on existing measurements and model predictions for hot Jupiters and super-Earths. Molecular opacities needed to simulate astronomical observations can be obtained from laboratory measurements, ab initio calculations or a combination of the two approaches. This discussion article focuses mainly on laboratory measurements of hot molecules as needed for exoplanet spectroscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Old Dominion University, , Norfolk, VA 23508, USA.
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Bernath
keywords: exoplanet spectroscopy; hot Jupiters; infrared spectroscopy; laboratory astrophysics; molecular opacities; super-Earths