Bibcode
Henning, T.; Régulo, C.; Mancini, L.; Bouy, H.; Barbieri, M.; Montalbán, J.; Bayo, A.; Montesinos, B.; Moya, A.; Barrado, D.; Lillo-Box, J.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 562, id.A109, 19 pp.
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2
2014
Journal
Citations
113
Refereed citations
105
Description
Context. The evolution of planetary systems is intimately linked to the
evolution of their host stars. Our understanding of the whole planetary
evolution process is based on the wide planet diversity observed so far.
Only a few tens of planets have been discovered orbiting stars ascending
the red giant branch. Although several theories have been proposed, the
question of how planets die remains open owing to the small number
statistics, making it clear that the sample of planets around post-main
sequence stars needs to be enlarged. Aims: In this work we study
the giant star Kepler-91 (KOI-2133) in order to determine the nature of
a transiting companion. This system was detected by the Kepler Space
Telescope, which identified small dims in its light curve with a period
of 6.246580 ± 0.000082 days. However, its planetary confirmation
is needed due to the large pixel size of the Kepler camera, which can
hide other stellar configurations able to mimic planet-like transit
events. Methods: We analysed Kepler photometry to 1) re-calculate
transit parameters; 2) study the light-curve modulations; and 3) to
perform an asteroseismic analysis (accurate stellar parameter
determination) by identifying solar-like oscillations on the
periodogram. We also used a high-resolution and high signal-to-noise
ratio spectrum obtained with the Calar Alto Fiber-fed Échelle
spectrograph (CAFE) to measure stellar properties. Additionally,
false-positive scenarios were rejected by obtaining high-resolution
images with the AstraLux lucky imaging camera on the 2.2 m telescope at
the Calar Alto Observatory. Results: We confirm the planetary
nature of the object transiting the star Kepler-91 by deriving a mass of
Mp=0.88+0.17-0.33 MJup and a
planetary radius of
Rp=1.384+0.011-0.054 RJup.
Asteroseismic analysis produces a stellar radius of R⋆ =
6.30 ± 0.16 R⊙ and a mass of M⋆ =
1.31 ± 0.10 M⊙. We find that its eccentric orbit
(e=0.066+0.013-0.017) is just
1.32+0.07-0.22 R⋆ away from the
stellar atmosphere at the pericentre. We also detected three small dims
in the phase-folded light curve. The combination of two of them agrees
with the theoretical characteristics expected for secondary eclipse. Conclusions: Kepler-91b could be the previous stage of the planet
engulfment, which has recently been detected for BD+48 740. Our
estimations show that Kepler-91b will be swallowed by its host star in
less than 55 Myr. Among the confirmed planets around giant stars, this
is the closest to its host star. At pericentre, the star subtends an
angle of 48°, covering around 10% of the sky as seen from the
planet. The planetary atmosphere seems to be inflated probably due to
the high stellar irradiation.
Based on observations collected at the German-Spanish Astronomical
Center, Calar Alto, jointly operated by the Max-Planck-Institut fur
Astronomie (Heidelberg) and the Instituto de Astrofísica de
Andalucía (IAA-CSIC, Granada).Appendix A is available in
electronic form at http://www.aanda.org
Related projects
Helio and Astero-Seismology and Exoplanets Search
The principal objectives of this project are: 1) to study the structure and dynamics of the solar interior, 2) to extend this study to other stars, 3) to search for extrasolar planets using photometric methods (primarily by transits of their host stars) and their characterization (using radial velocity information) and 4) the study of the planetary
Savita
Mathur