The Detection of KIC 1718360, A Rotating Variable with a Possible Companion, Using Machine Learning

TL;DR

This study uses machine learning to detect a rotating variable star, KIC 1718360, and suggests the presence of a possible exoplanetary companion based on lightcurve analysis from Kepler and TESS data.

Contribution

The paper introduces a machine learning approach, specifically One-Class SVM, for detecting rotating variables and potential exoplanetary companions in stellar lightcurves.

Findings

Detection of a periodic dimming event in KIC 1718360.

Identification of a high stellar rotation rate of 2.938 days.

Evidence suggesting a possible exoplanetary companion.

Abstract

This paper presents the detection of a periodic dimming event in the lightcurve of the G1.5IV-V type star KIC 1718360. This is based on visible-light observations conducted by both the TESS and Kepler space telescopes. Analysis of the data seems to point toward a high rotation rate in the star, with a rotational period of 2.938 days. The high variability seen within the star's lightcurve points toward classification as a rotating variable. The initial observation was made in Kepler Quarter 16 data using the One-Class SVM machine learning method. Subsequent observations by the TESS space telescope corroborated these findings. It appears that KIC 1718360 is a nearby rotating variable that appears in little to no major catalogs as such. A secondary, additional periodic dip is also present, indicating a possible exoplanetary companion.