SPATIALLY RESOLVED SPECTROSCOPY OF THE EXOPLANET HR 8799 c

HR 8799 is a multi-planet system detected in direct imaging, with three companions known so far. Here, we present spatially resolved Very Large Telescope/NACO 3.88–4.10 μm spectroscopy of the middle planet, HR 8799 c, which has an estimated mass of ∼10 MJup, temperature of ∼1100 K, and projected separation of 38 AU. The spectrum shows some differences in the continuum from existing theoretical models, particularly longwards of 4 μm, implying that detailed cloud structure or non-equilibrium conditions may play an important role in the physics of young exoplanetary atmospheres.