An Investigation into Exoplanet Transits and Uncertainties

Abstract

A simple transit model is described along with tests of this model against published results for 4 exoplanet systems (Kepler-1, 2, 8, and 77). Data from the Kepler mission are used. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method is applied to obtain realistic error estimates. Optimization of limb darkening coefficients is subject to data quality. It is more likely for MCMC to derive an empirical limb darkening coefficient for light curves with S/N (signal to noise) above 15. Finally, the model is applied to Kepler data for 4 Kepler candidate systems (KOI 760.01, 767.01, 802.01, and 824.01) with previously unpublished results. Error estimates for these systems are obtained via the MCMC method.

arXiv comment13 pages, 2 figures, 10 tables

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Cited by in corpus (3)

• Power of wavelets in analyses of transit and phase curves in the presence of stellar variability and instrumental noise. II. Accuracy of the transit parameters
• Transit modelling of selected Kepler systems
• Optimization Applied to Selected Exoplanets