The DWARF project: Eclipsing binaries - precise clocks to discover exoplanets

TL;DR

The DWARF project aims to detect circumbinary exoplanets by monitoring the precise timing of eclipsing binaries over a long-term observational campaign using a network of small to medium telescopes.

Contribution

This study introduces a new long-term observational method utilizing eclipse timing variations to discover exoplanets around low-mass and post-common-envelope binaries.

Findings

Initial test observations demonstrate the method's feasibility.

Formulas provided to assess binary suitability for planet detection.

Discussion of intrinsic variability impacts on timing precision.

Abstract

We present a new observational campaign, DWARF, aimed at detection of circumbinary extrasolar planets using the timing of the minima of low-mass eclipsing binaries. The observations will be performed within an extensive network of relatively small to medium-size telescopes with apertures of ~20-200 cm. The starting sample of the objects to be monitored contains (i) low-mass eclipsing binaries with M and K components, (ii) short-period binaries with sdB or sdO component, and (iii) post-common-envelope systems containing a WD, which enable to determine minima with high precision. Since the amplitude of the timing signal increases with the orbital period of an invisible third component, the timescale of project is long, at least 5-10 years. The paper gives simple formulas to estimate suitability of individual eclipsing binaries for the circumbinary planet detection. Intrinsic variability of the binaries (photospheric spots, flares, pulsation etc.) limiting the accuracy of the minima timing is also discussed. The manuscript also describes the best observing strategy and methods to detect cyclic timing variability in the minima times indicating presence of circumbinary planets. First test observation of the selected targets are presented.