Extrasolar planet transits observed at Kitt Peak National Observatory

Pedro V. Sada, Drake Deming, Donald E. Jennings, Brian K. Jackson, Catrina M. Hamilton, Jonathan Fraine, Steven W. Peterson, Flynn Haase, Kevin Bays, Allen Lunsford, Eamon O'gorman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We obtained J-, H-, and JH-band photometry of known extrasolar planet transiting systems at the 2.1 m Kitt Peak National Observatory Telescope using the FLAMINGOS infrared camera between 2008 October and 2011 October. From the derived light curves we have extracted the midtransit times, transit depths and transit durations for these events. The precise midtransit times obtained help improve the orbital periods and also constrain transit-time variations of the systems. For most cases the published system parameters successfully accounted for our observed light curves, but in some instances we derive improved planetary radii and orbital periods. We complemented our 2.1 m infrared observations using CCD z'-band and B-band photometry (plus two Hα filter observations) obtained with the Kitt Peak Visitor Center Telescope, and with four H-band transits observed in 2007 October with the NSO's 1.6 m McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope. The principal highlights of our results are (1) Our ensemble of J-band planetary radii agree with optical radii, with the best-fit relation being (R p=R *) J= 0:0017 + 0:979(R p=R *) vis. (2) We observe starspot crossings during the transit of WASP-11/HAT-P-10. (3) We detect starspot crossings by HAT-P-11b (Kepler-3b), thus confirming that the magnetic evolution of the stellar active regions can be monitored even after the Kepler mission has ended. (4) We confirm a grazing transit for HAT-P-27/ WASP-40. In total, we present 57 individual transits of 32 known exoplanet systems.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)212-229
Number of pages18
JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Volume124
Issue number913
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2012

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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