On the Mass of CoRoT-7b

TL;DR

This paper refines the mass measurement of CoRoT-7b using a simplified analysis of radial velocity data, confirming its rocky composition and similarity to Kepler-10b.

Contribution

It introduces a method that minimizes assumptions in analyzing activity signals, leading to a more precise mass estimate of CoRoT-7b.

Findings

Mass of CoRoT-7b is 7.42 +/- 1.21 Earth masses.

CoRoT-7b's density suggests a rocky, Mercury-like internal structure.

Activity signals are negligible in the radial velocity data.

Abstract

The mass of CoRoT-7b, the first transiting superearth exoplanet, is still a subject of debate. A wide range of masses have been reported in the literature ranging from as high as 8 M_Earth to as low as 2.3 M_Earth. Although most mass determinations give a density consistent with a rocky planet, the lower value permits a bulk composition that can be up to 50% water. We present an analysis of the CoRoT-7b radial velocity measurements that uses very few and simple assumptions in treating the activity signal. By only analyzing those radial velocity data for which multiple measurements were made in a given night we remove the activity related radial velocity contribution without any a priori model. We demonstrate that the contribution of activity to the final radial velocity curve is negligible and that the K-amplitude due to the planet is well constrained. This yields a mass of 7.42 +/- 1.21 M_Earth and a mean density of rho = 10.4 +/- 1.8 gm cm^-3. CoRoT-7b is similar in mass and radius to the second rocky planet to be discovered, Kepler-10b, and within the errors they have identical bulk densities - they are virtual twins. These bulk densities lie close to the density - radius relationship for terrestrial planets similar to what is seen for Mercury. CoRoT-7b and Kepler-10b may have an internal structure more like Mercury than the Earth.