A modified CoRoT detrend algorithm and the discovery of a new planetary companion

TL;DR

This paper introduces MCDA, an improved detrending algorithm for CoRoT light curves that enhances exoplanet detection, leading to the discovery of a new planet and potential additional candidates.

Contribution

The paper presents MCDA, a modified CoRoT detrend algorithm that better handles short-term variability and chromatic data, improving exoplanet detection capabilities.

Findings

Discovered a new exoplanet orbiting a star with a 6.72-day period.

Redetected all known CoRoT exoplanets in the analyzed data.

Identified potential additional planetary companions.

Abstract

We present MCDA, a modification of the CoRoT detrend algorithm (CDA) suitable to detrend chromatic light curves. By means of robust statistics and better handling of short term variability, the implementation decreases the systematic light curve variations and improves the detection of exoplanets when compared with the original algorithm. All CoRoT chromatic light curves (a total of 65,655) were analysed with our algorithm. Dozens of new transit candidates and all previously known CoRoT exoplanets were rediscovered in those light curves using a box-fitting algorithm. For three of the new cases spectroscopic measurements of the candidates' host stars were retrieved from the ESO Science Archive Facility and used to calculate stellar parameters and, in the best cases, radial velocities. In addition to our improved detrend technique we announce the discovery of a planet that orbits a $0.79_{-0.09}^{+0.08}\,R_\odot$ star with a period of $6.71837\pm0.00001$ days and has $0.57_{-0.05}^{+0.06}\,R_{\rm J}$ and $0.15\pm0.10\,M_{\rm J}$. We also present the analysis of two cases in which parameters found suggest the existence of possible planetary companions.