Clouds form on the hot Saturn JWST ERO target WASP-96b

WASP-96b is a hot Saturn exoplanet, with an equilibrium temperature well within the regime of thermodynamically expected extensive cloud formation. Prior observations Hubble/WFC3, Spitzer/IRAC, and VLT/FORS2 have been combined into single spectra for which retrievals suggest cold but cloud-free atmosphere. Recently, planet was observed James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as part Early Release Observations (ERO). 1D profiles are extracted from 3D GCM expeRT/MITgcm results used input kinetic, non-equilibrium model to study formation mineral particles mixed composition. The ARCiS retrieval framework applied pre-JWST transit investigate apparent contradiction between cloudy models assumed spectra. Clouds predicted be ubiquitous throughout atmosphere WASP-96b. Silicate materials contribute 40% 90%, hence, also metal oxides up in low-pressure regimes that effect We explore how match these currently available atmospheric A reduced vertical mixing acts settle clouds deeper atmosphere, increased porosity reduces opacity near-IR optical region. Both effects allow clearer molecular features observed, while still allowing unlikely free. Also HST, Spitzer VLT show multiple solutions reproduce data. JWST will affected by clouds, where even NIRISS wavelength range top pressure varies order magnitude. long end NIRSpec short MIRI may probe asymmetries limbs terminator on