[Paper Review] Data availability and requirements relevant for the Ariel space mission and other exoplanet atmosphere applications

K. L. Chubb, Séverine Robert+53 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Apr 2, 2024

Atmospheric Ozone and Climate4 citations

TL;DR

This paper establishes a centralized, open-access GitHub platform—Ariel-data—to streamline data sharing between exoplanet atmosphere researchers and data providers. It outlines critical spectroscopic data needs for the Ariel space mission and the broader exoplanet community, emphasizing cross-mission utility and long-term data sustainability through community-driven data requests and visibility.

ABSTRACT

The goal of this white paper is to provide a snapshot of the data availability and data needs primarily for the Ariel space mission, but also for related atmospheric studies of exoplanets and brown dwarfs. It covers the following data-related topics: molecular and atomic line lists, line profiles, computed cross-sections and opacities, collision-induced absorption and other continuum data, optical properties of aerosols and surfaces, atmospheric chemistry, UV photodissociation and photoabsorption cross-sections, and standards in the description and format of such data. These data aspects are discussed by addressing the following questions for each topic, based on the experience of the "data-provider" and "data-user" communities: (1) what are the types and sources of currently available data, (2) what work is currently in progress, and (3) what are the current and anticipated data needs. We present a GitHub platform for Ariel-related data, with the goal to provide a go-to place for both data-users and data-providers, for the users to make requests for their data needs and for the data-providers to link to their available data. Our aim throughout the paper is to provide practical information on existing sources of data whether in databases, theoretical, or literature sources.

Motivation & Objective

• To identify and catalog essential spectroscopic data requirements for the Ariel space mission’s atmospheric characterization goals.
• To create a sustainable, community-driven data infrastructure that bridges data providers and users beyond the immediate Ariel consortium.
• To support theoretical modeling and complementary observations by identifying data gaps in spectral regions outside Ariel’s observing window.
• To promote open science by enabling direct communication between modelers and data producers through an accessible, transparent platform.
• To ensure long-term data availability and usability for future exoplanet atmosphere studies, not limited to Ariel-specific targets.

Proposed method

• Development of a public GitHub repository (https://github.com/Ariel-data) as a centralized hub for data requests and provider links.
• Compilation of data needs across multiple spectral regions and molecular species relevant to exoplanet atmospheres.
• Incorporation of input from diverse experts across experimental, theoretical, and observational communities in exoplanet science.
• Use of the GitHub issue system to facilitate real-time dialogue between data users (e.g., modelers) and providers (e.g., spectroscopists).
• Integration of data needs from missions and instruments beyond Ariel, including those with overlapping or complementary spectral coverage.
• Alignment with existing funding and institutional support structures to ensure long-term maintenance and adoption of the platform.

Figure 1: Comparison of 12 CH 4 cross-sections at 296 K in the far and mid-infrared regions for different databases: MeCaSDa (Ba et al., 2013 ) , TheoReTs (Rey et al., 2016b ) , the ExoMol MM line list (Yurchenko et al., 2024a ) , HITRAN2020 (Gordon et al., 2022 ) and HITEMP (Hargreaves et al., 2020

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What key spectroscopic data are required for the Ariel space mission to accurately characterize exoplanet atmospheres?
• RQ2 How can data needs for exoplanet atmosphere studies be systematically identified and communicated across the global research community?
• RQ3 What role can an open, collaborative platform play in reducing data gaps and improving data discoverability for exoplanet science?
• RQ4 How can data needs extend beyond Ariel’s observing window to support theoretical modeling and future missions?
• RQ5 What mechanisms can sustain long-term data availability and community engagement in exoplanet spectroscopy?

Key findings

• The Ariel-data GitHub platform has been established as a central, open-access resource for exoplanet atmosphere data needs, with active participation from data providers and users.
• The paper identifies critical spectroscopic data requirements across multiple molecular species and spectral regions, many of which extend beyond Ariel’s operational window.
• Data needs are shared across the broader exoplanet community, indicating strong cross-mission relevance for future atmospheric characterization efforts.
• The platform enables direct, transparent communication between modelers and data producers, accelerating data generation and improving alignment with research demands.
• Support from major funding bodies and institutions—including the ERC, NASA, CNES, DFG, and ESA—ensures the platform’s sustainability and credibility.
• The initiative has already facilitated data requests and collaborations across disciplines, including experimental, theoretical, and observational exoplanet science.

Figure 2: ExoMol Spectral Atlas (Tennyson & Yurchenko, 2018 ) : Cross-sections of SO 2 computed with the ExoMol line ExoAmes (Underwood et al., 2016 ) .