Search for a circum-planetary material and orbital period variations of short-period Kepler exoplanet candidates

TL;DR

This study investigates the presence of comet-like tails and orbital period variations in short-period Kepler exoplanet candidates, focusing on 20 candidates similar to a known disintegrating Mercury-sized planet.

Contribution

It is the first systematic search for comet-like tails and period variations among a specific sample of short-period Kepler exoplanets, expanding understanding of planet-star interactions.

Findings

No definitive comet-like tails detected in the sample.

Some candidates show potential signs of orbital period variations.

Results suggest such features are rare among short-period exoplanets.

Abstract

A unique short-period Mercury-size Kepler exoplanet candidate KIC012557548b has been discovered recently by Rappaport et al. (2012). This object is a transiting disintegrating exoplanet with a circum-planetary material - comet-like tail. Close-in exoplanets, like KIC012557548b, are subjected to the greatest planet-star interactions. This interaction may have various forms. In certain cases it may cause formation of the comet-like tail. Strong interaction with the host star, and/or presence of an additional planet may lead to variations in the orbital period of the planet. Our main aim is to search for comet-like tails similar to KIC012557548b and for long-term orbital period variations. We are curious about frequency of comet-like tail formation among short-period Kepler exoplanet candidates. We concentrate on a sample of 20 close-in candidates with a period similar to KIC012557548b from the Kepler mission.