Identification and Mitigation of a Vibrational Telescope Systematic with Application to Spitzer

Abstract We observed Proxima Centauri with the Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Array Camera five times in 2016 and 2017 to search for transits of b. Following standard analysis procedures, we found three asymmetric, transit-like events that are now understood be vibrational systematics. This systematic is correlated width point-response function (PRF), which measure rotated nonrotated-Gaussian fits respect detector array. show can removed a novel application an adaptive elliptical-aperture photometry technique, compare performance this technique fixed variable circular-aperture photometry, using both BiLinearly Interpolated Subpixel Sensitivity (BLISS) maps nonbinned Pixel-Level Decorrelation (PLD). With BLISS maps, elliptical results lower deviation normalized residuals, reduced or similar noise when compared circular apertures. PLD prefers variable, apertures, but generally more than BLISS. effect likely present other telescopes observations, where correction could improve results. Our apertures applied any may even effective PRFs Spitzer’s.