Theory of Extrasolar Giant Planet Transits

نویسندگان

  • W. B. Hubbard
  • J. J. Fortney
  • J. I. Lunine
  • P. Pinto
چکیده

We present a synthesis of physical effects influencing the observed lightcurve of an extrasolar giant planet (EGP) transiting its host star. The synthesis includes a treatment of Rayleigh scattering, cloud scattering, refraction, and molecular absorption of starlight in the EGP atmosphere. Of these effects, molecular absorption dominates in determining the transit-derived radius R, for planetary orbital radii less than a few AU. Using a generic model for the atmosphere of EGP HD209458b, we perform a fit to the best available transit lightcurve data, and infer that this planet has a radius at a pressure of 1 bar, R1, equal to 94430 km, with an uncertainty of ∼ 500 km arising from plausible uncertainties in the atmospheric temperature profile. We predict that R will be a function of wavelength of observation, with a robust prediction of variations of at least ±1% at infrared wavelengths where H2O opacity in the high EGP atmosphere dominates. Subject headings: planetary systems — stars: individual (HD209458)

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تاریخ انتشار 2001