Exomoon simulations

TL;DR

This paper presents a new simulation code for exomoon detection via light and radial velocity curves, highlighting the potential of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect as a future observational tool.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel simulation tool that models light and radial velocity curves for exoplanets with satellites, emphasizing the role of the RM effect in exomoon detection.

Findings

Simulated light and radial velocity curves for exomoons.

Potential detection of exomoons via the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect.

Future telescopes may detect exomoons using the RM effect.

Abstract

We introduce and describe our newly developed code that simulates light curves and radial velocity curves for arbitrary transiting exoplanets with a satellite. The most important feature of the program is the calculation of radial velocity curves and the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect in such systems. We discuss the possibilities for detecting the exomoons taking the abilities of Extremely Large Telescopes into account. We show that satellites may be detected also by their RM effect in the future, probably using less accurate measurements than promised by the current instrumental developments. Thus, RM effect will be an important observational tool in the exploration of exomoons.