Eclipse Mapping with MIRI: 2D Map of HD 189733b from 8 μm JWST MIRI LRS Observations

Observations and models of transiting hot Jupiter exoplanets indicate that atmospheric circulation features may cause large spatial flux contrasts across their daysides. Previous studies have mapped these spatial flux variations through inversion of secondary eclipse data. Though eclipse mapping requires high signal-to-noise data, the first successful eclipse map—made for HD 189733b using 8 μm Spitzer IRAC data—showed the promise of the method. JWST eclipse observations provide the requisite data quality to access the unique advantages of eclipse mapping. Using two JWST MIRI low-resolution spectroscopy eclipse observations centered on 8 μm to mimic the Spitzer bandpass used in previous studies, combined with the Spitzer IRAC 8 μm eclipses and partial phase curve (necessitated to disentangle map and systematic signals), we present a two-dimensional dayside temperature map. Our best-fit model is a two-component fifth-degree harmonic model with an unprecedentedly constrained eastward hotspot offset of deg. We rule out a strong hemispheric latitudinal hotspot offset, as three + component maps providing latitudinal degrees of freedom are strongly disfavored. As in previous studies, we find some model dependence in longitudinal hotspot offset; when we explore and combine a range of proximal models to avoid an overly constrained confidence region, we find an eastward hotspot offset of deg, indicating the presence of a strong eastward zonal jet. Our map is consistent with some previous eclipse maps of HD 189733b, though it indicates a higher longitudinal offset from others. It is largely consistent with predictions from general circulation models at the 115 mbar level near the 8 μm photosphere.