Kepler Discovery Of An A-star With A Hot-planetary Companion

Rowe, J.F.; Borucki, W.J.; Howell, S.B.; Gilliland, R.L.; Buchhave, L.A.; Batalha, N.M.; Latham, D.W.; Kepler Science Team (2011) .

• Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society

. 43: N/A.



Abstract:

We present Kepler photometry of a bright (Kepmag=10) closely separated (1") A-star stellar binary. Time series photometry of the system reveals a transiting Jupiter-sized companion in a 1.76 d orbit. Detailed modeling of the phased light curve in conjunction with high-resolution speckle imaging allow us to identify the true host of the transiting companion and to account for third light contamination. The high-duty cycle and precision of Kepler photomety enables us to observe phase-changes of the planet as well as Doppler boosting and ellipsoidal distortions of the host star. With these observations we measure the mass, radius, temperature and orbital solution of the companion and confirm its planetary nature.
Kepler was selected as the 10th mission of the Discovery Program. Funding for this mission is provided by NASA, Science Mission Directorate.