Weighing The Non-Transiting Hot Jupiter Tau BOO b

TL;DR

This study successfully detected the orbital velocity of the non-transiting hot Jupiter Tau Boo b using high-resolution spectroscopy, determining its orbital inclination and mass, and confirming its planetary nature.

Contribution

First detection of orbital velocity for a non-transiting hot Jupiter using ground-based spectroscopy, enabling precise mass and inclination measurements.

Findings

Orbital inclination of 47 degrees with uncertainties

Planetary mass determined as approximately 5.6 Jupiter masses

Confirmed planetary nature of Tau Boo b

Abstract

We report the detection of the orbital velocity of non-transiting hot Jupiter Tau Boo b. By employing high-resolution ground-based spectroscopy around 2.3 {\mu}m during one half night, we are able to detect carbon monoxide absorption lines produced in the planet atmosphere, which shift significantly in wavelength during the course of the observations due to the orbital motion of the planet. This detection of the planetary signal results in the determination of the orbital inclination being i = 47 (+7, -6) degrees and furthermore allow us to solve for the exact planetary mass being mp = 5.6 (0.7) MJup. This clearly confirms the planetary nature of the non-transiting companion to Tau Boo.