Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2009-01-02
Astrophys.J.710:1724-1745,2010
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Accepted for publication in ApJ, 24 pages, 14 figures, 6 tables. All RV data presented in this version
Scientific paper
10.1088/0004-637X/710/2/1724
We report on the discovery of HAT-P-11b, the smallest radius transiting extrasolar planet (TEP) discovered from the ground, and the first hot Neptune discovered to date by transit searches. HAT-P-11b orbits the bright (V=9.587) and metal rich ([Fe=H] = +0.31 +/- 0.05) K4 dwarf star GSC 03561-02092 with P = 4.8878162 +/- 0.0000071 days and produces a transit signal with depth of 4.2 mmag. We present a global analysis of the available photometric and radial-velocity data that result in stellar and planetary parameters, with simultaneous treatment of systematic variations. The planet, like its near-twin GJ 436b, is somewhat larger than Neptune (17Mearth, 3.8Rearth) both in mass Mp = 0.081 +/- 0.009 MJ (25.8 +/- 2.9 Mearth) and radius Rp = 0.422 +/- 0.014 RJ (4.73 +/- 0.16 Rearth). HAT-P-11b orbits in an eccentric orbit with e = 0.198 +/- 0.046 and omega = 355.2 +/- 17.3, causing a reflex motion of its parent star with amplitude 11.6 +/- 1.2 m/s, a challenging detection due to the high level of chromospheric activity of the parent star. Our ephemeris for the transit events is Tc = 2454605.89132 +/- 0.00032 (BJD), with duration 0.0957 +/- 0.0012 d, and secondary eclipse epoch of 2454608.96 +/- 0.15 d (BJD). The basic stellar parameters of the host star are M* = 0.809+0.020-0.027 Msun, R* = 0.752 +/- 0.021 Rsun and Teff = 4780 +/- 50 K. Importantly, HAT-P-11 will lie on one of the detectors of the forthcoming Kepler mission. We discuss an interesting constraint on the eccentricity of the system by the transit light curve and stellar parameters. We also present a blend analysis, that for the first time treats the case of a blended transiting hot Jupiter mimicing a transiting hot Neptune, and proves that HAT-P-11b is not such a blend.
Bakos Gustav A.
Butler Paul R.
Esquerdo Gilbert A.
Fernandez Javier
Fischer Debra Ann
No associations
LandOfFree
HAT-P-11b: A Super-Neptune Planet Transiting a Bright K Star in the Kepler Field does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with HAT-P-11b: A Super-Neptune Planet Transiting a Bright K Star in the Kepler Field, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and HAT-P-11b: A Super-Neptune Planet Transiting a Bright K Star in the Kepler Field will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-288414