How stellar activity affects the size estimates of extrasolar planets

TL;DR

Stellar activity significantly influences exoplanet size estimates derived from transit lightcurves, necessitating careful analysis to avoid biases in planetary characterization.

Contribution

This study demonstrates how stellar activity affects transit measurements and provides revised planetary parameters accounting for activity-related effects.

Findings

Planetary radius is approximately 3% larger after correction.

Transit lightcurves are shallower during high star spot coverage.

Color dependence of transit profiles aligns with wavelength-dependent limb darkening.

Abstract

Lightcurves have long been used to study stellar activity and have more recently become a major tool in the field of exoplanet research. We discuss the various ways in which stellar activity can influence transit lightcurves, and study the effects using the outstanding photometric data of the CoRoT-2 exoplanet system. We report a relation between the `global' lightcurve and the transit profiles which turn out to be shallower during high spot coverage on the stellar surface. Furthermore, our analysis reveals a color dependence of the transit lightcurve compatible with a wavelength-dependent limb darkening law as observed on the Sun. Taking into account activity-related effects, we re-determine the orbit inclination and planetary radius and find the planet to be approximately 3% larger than reported previously. Our findings also show that exoplanet research cannot generally ignore the effects of stellar activity.