University of Hertfordshire Research Archive

        JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

        Browse

        All of UHRABy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitles

        Arkivum Files

        My Downloads
        View Item 
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item
        • UHRA Home
        • University of Hertfordshire
        • Research publications
        • View Item

        Transit timing observations from Kepler. I. : Statistical analysis of the first four months

        View/Open
        906057.pdf (PDF, 1Mb)
        Author
        Ford, E.B.
        Rowe, J.F.
        Caldwell, D.A.
        Jenkins, J.M.
        Li, J.
        Mullally, F.R.
        Quintana, E.
        Tenenbaum, P.
        Thompson, S.E.
        Twicken, J.D.
        Lissauer, J.J.
        Borucki, W.J.
        Bryson, S.
        Caldwell, D.A.
        Jenkins, J.M.
        Koch, D.G.
        Still, M.
        Fabrycky, D.C.
        Carter, J.A.
        Holman, M.J.
        Ragozzine, D.
        Steffen, J.H.
        Batalha, N.M.
        Dunham, E.W.
        Gautier, T.N.
        Lucas, P.W.
        Marcy, G.W.
        McCauliff, S.
        Attention
        2299/7203
        Abstract
        The architectures of multiple planet systems can provide valuable constraints on models of planet formation, including orbital migration, and excitation of orbital eccentricities and inclinations. NASA's Kepler mission has identified 1235 transiting planet candidates. The method of transit timing variations (TTVs) has already confirmed seven planets in two planetary systems. We perform a transit timing analysis of the Kepler planet candidates. We find that at least ∼11% of planet candidates currently suitable for TTV analysis show evidence suggestive of TTVs, representing at least ∼65 TTV candidates. In all cases, the time span of observations must increase for TTVs to provide strong constraints on planet masses and/or orbits, as expected based on N-body integrations of multiple transiting planet candidate systems (assuming circular and coplanar orbits). We find the fraction of planet candidates showing TTVs in this data set does not vary significantly with the number of transiting planet candidates per star, suggesting significant mutual inclinations and that many stars with a single transiting planet should host additional non-transiting planets. We anticipate that Kepler could confirm (or reject) at least ∼12 systems with multiple transiting planet candidates via TTVs. Thus, TTVs will provide a powerful tool for confirming transiting planets and characterizing the orbital dynamics of low-mass planets. If Kepler observations were extended to at least seven years, then TTVs would provide much more precise constraints on the dynamics of systems with multiple transiting planets and would become sensitive to planets with orbital periods extending into the habitable zone of solar-type stars.
        Publication date
        2011-11-01
        Published in
        Astrophysical Journal, Supplement Series
        Published version
        https://doi.org/10.1088/0067-0049/197/1/2
        Other links
        http://hdl.handle.net/2299/7203
        Metadata
        Show full item record
        Keep in touch

        © 2019 University of Hertfordshire

        I want to...

        • Apply for a course
        • Download a Prospectus
        • Find a job at the University
        • Make a complaint
        • Contact the Press Office

        Go to...

        • Accommodation booking
        • Your student record
        • Bayfordbury
        • KASPAR
        • UH Arts

        The small print

        • Terms of use
        • Privacy and cookies
        • Criminal Finances Act 2017
        • Modern Slavery Act 2015
        • Sitemap

        Find/Contact us

        • T: +44 (0)1707 284000
        • E: ask@herts.ac.uk
        • Where to find us
        • Parking
        • hr
        • qaa
        • stonewall
        • AMBA
        • ECU Race Charter
        • disability confident
        • AthenaSwan