A Spitzer Infrared Radius for the Transiting Extrasolar Planet HD209458b

dc.creatorRichardson, L. Jeremy
dc.creatorHarrington, Joseph
dc.creatorSeager, Sara
dc.creatorDeming, Drake
dc.date2006-06-05
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T10:39:11Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T10:39:11Z
dc.descriptionWe have measured the infrared transit of the extrasolar planet HD209458b using the Spitzer Space Telescope. We observed two primary eclipse events (one partial and one complete transit) using the 24 micron array of the Multiband Imaging Photometer for Spitzer (MIPS). We analyzed a total of 2392 individual images (10-second integrations) of the planetary system, recorded before, during, and after transit. We perform optimal photometry on the images and use the local zodiacal light as a short-term flux reference. At this long wavelength, the transit curve has a simple box-like shape, allowing robust solutions for the stellar and planetary radii independent of stellar limb darkening, which is negligible at 24 microns. We derive a stellar radius of R$_*$ = 1.06 $\pm$ 0.07 R$_\sun$, a planetary radius of R$_p$ = 1.26 $\pm$ 0.08 R$_J$, and a stellar mass of 1.17 M$_\sun$. Within the errors, our results agree with the measurements at visible wavelengths. The 24-micron radius of the planet therefore does not differ significantly compared to the visible result. We point out the potential for deriving extrasolar transiting planet radii to high accuracy using transit photometry at slightly shorter IR wavelengths where greater photometric precision is possible.
dc.description18 pages, 3 figures, Accepted to Astrophysical Journal
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0606096
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0606096
dc.identifierAstrophys.J.649:1043-1047,2006
dc.identifierdoi:10.1086/506503
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/180942
dc.subjectAstrophysics
dc.titleA Spitzer Infrared Radius for the Transiting Extrasolar Planet HD209458b
dc.typetext

Files

Collections