Eight Planets in Four Multi-planet Systems via Transit Timing Variations in 1350 Days

TL;DR

This study confirms eight new exoplanets in four multi-planet systems using transit timing variations from Kepler data, notably including the longest-period planet near a first-order resonance.

Contribution

It introduces an improved method for analyzing long-period TTVs, enabling confirmation of planets with periods over 35 days near mean-motion resonances.

Findings

Confirmed 8 planets in 4 multi-planet systems via TTV analysis.

Identified the longest-period planet near a first-order MMR to date.

Demonstrated effectiveness of the improved TTV method for long-period planets.

Abstract

Analysis of the transit timing variations (TTVs) of candidate pairs near mean-motion resonances (MMRs) is an effective method to confirm planets. Hitherto, 68 planets in 34 multi-planet systems have been confirmed via TTVs. We analyze the TTVs of all candidates from the most recent Kepler data with a time span as long as about 1350 days (Q0-Q15). The anti-correlations of TTV signals and the mass upper limits of candidate pairs in the same system are calculated, using an improved method suitable for long-period TTVs. If the false alarm probability (FAP) of a candidate pair is less than 10^{-3} and the mass upper limit for each candidate is less than 13 M_J, we confirm them as planets in the same system. Finally, 8 planets in 4 multi-planet systems are confirmed via analysis of their TTVs. All of the 4 planet pairs are near first-order MMRs, including KOI-2672 near 2:1 MMR, KOI-1236, KOI-1563 and KOI-2038 near 3:2 MMR. Four planets have relatively long orbital periods (> 35 day). KOI-2672.01 has a period of 88.51658 days and a fit mass of 17 M_\oplus. It is the longest-period planet confirmed, to date, near first-order MMR via TTVs.