A Precise Estimate of the Radius of HD 149026b
Philip Nutzman, David Charbonneau, Joshua N. Winn, Heather A. Knutson,, Jonathan J. Fortney, Matthew J. Holman, Eric Agol
TL;DR
This study uses Spitzer 8 micron transit observations to precisely determine the radius of HD 149026b, providing insights into its composition and supporting models of heavy element enrichment.
Contribution
The paper presents the first precise measurement of HD 149026b's radius using infrared transit data, reducing uncertainties caused by stellar limb-darkening effects.
Findings
Planet radius is 0.755 +/- 0.040 Jupiter radii.
Transit data supports heavy element enrichment in the planet.
Orbital inclination is 85.4 +0.9/-0.8 degrees.
Abstract
We present Spitzer 8 micron transit observations of the extrasolar planet system HD 149026. At this wavelength, transit light curves are weakly affected by stellar limb-darkening, allowing for a simpler and more accurate determination of planetary parameters. We measure a planet-star radius ratio of R_p/R_s = 0.05158 +/- 0.00077, and in combination with ground-based data and independent constraints on the stellar mass and radius, we derive an orbital inclination of i = 85.4 +0.9/-0.8 deg. and a planet radius of 0.755 +/- 0.040 Jupiter radii. These measurements further support models in which the planet is greatly enriched in heavy elements.
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