Transit-timing measurements with the model-independent barycenter method: application to the LHS 6343 system

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Oshagh, M (Author) Other; Boue, G (Author) Other; Haghighipour, N (Author) Other; Montalto, M (Author) Other; Figueira, P (Author) Other; N.C. Santos (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Vol. 540

Final page: A62

ISSN: 0004-6361

Publisher: EDP Sciences

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 8 Citations

Scopus - 10 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-BAT

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201118102

Abstract (EN): We present a model-independent technique for calculating the time of mid-transits. This technique, named "barycenter method", uses the light-curve's symmetry to determine the transit timing by calculating the transit light-curve barycenter. Unlike the other methods of calculating mid-transit timing, this technique does not depend on the parameters of the system and central star. We demonstrate the capabilities of the barycenter method by applying this technique to some known transiting systems including several Kepler confirmed planets. Results indicate that for complete and symmetric transit lightcurves, the barycenter method achieves the same precision as other techniques, but with fewer assumptions and much faster. Among the transiting systems studied with the barycenter method, we focus in particular on LHS 6343C, a brown dwarf that transits a member of an M+M binary system, LHS 6343AB. We present the results of our analysis, which can be used to set an upper limit on the period and mass of a possible second small perturber.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 10