Bibcode
Freudenthal, J.; von Essen, C.; Dreizler, S.; Wedemeyer, S.; Agol, E.; Morris, B. M.; Becker, A. C.; Mallonn, M.; Hoyer, S.; Ofir, A.; Tal-Or, L.; Deeg, H. J.; Herrero, E.; Ribas, I.; Khalafinejad, S.; Hernández, J.; Rodríguez S., M. M.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 618, id.A41, 22 pp.
Advertised on:
10
2018
Journal
Citations
24
Refereed citations
23
Description
Context. The Kepler Object of Interest Network (KOINet) is a multi-site
network of telescopes around the globe organised to follow up transiting
planet-candidate Kepler objects of interest (KOIs) with large transit
timing variations (TTVs). Its main goal is to complete their TTV curves,
as the Kepler telescope no longer observes the original Kepler field.
Aims: Combining Kepler and new ground-based transit data we
improve the modelling of these systems. To this end, we have developed a
photodynamical model, and we demonstrate its performance using the
Kepler-9 system as an example. Methods: Our comprehensive
analysis combines the numerical integration of the system's dynamics
over the time span of the observations along with the transit light
curve model. This provides a coherent description of all observations
simultaneously. This model is coupled with a Markov chain Monte Carlo
algorithm, allowing for the exploration of the model parameter space.
Results: Applied to the Kepler-9 long cadence data, short cadence
data, and 13 new transit observations collected by KOINet between the
years 2014 and 2017, our modelling provides well constrained predictions
for the next transits and the system's parameters. We have determined
the densities of the planets Kepler-9b and 9c to the very precise values
of ρb = 0.439 ± 0.023 g cm-3 and
ρc = 0.322 ± 0.017 g cm-3. Our analysis
reveals that Kepler-9c will stop transiting in about 30 yr due to strong
dynamical interactions between Kepler-9b and 9c, near 2:1 resonance,
leading to a periodic change in inclination. Conclusions: Over
the next 30 years, the inclination of Kepler-9c (-9b) will decrease
(increase) slowly. This should be measurable by a substantial decrease
(increase) in the transit duration, in as soon as a few years' time.
Observations that contradict this prediction might indicate the presence
of additional objects in this system. If this prediction turns out to be
accurate, this behaviour opens up a unique chance to scan the different
latitudes of a star: high latitudes with planet c and low latitudes with
planet b.
Ground-based photometry is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp
to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr
(http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/618/A41
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