A General-Purpose Transit Simulator for Arbitrary Shaped Objects Orbiting Stars

TL;DR

This paper introduces a versatile transit simulator capable of generating accurate light curves for objects of arbitrary shapes orbiting stars, including complex structures like megastructures, aiding in the identification of unusual astronomical phenomena.

Contribution

It presents a novel, general-purpose transit simulation tool that models complex geometries and effects, expanding capabilities beyond traditional spherical object models.

Findings

Successfully simulated light curves for diverse systems including planets, binaries, and exocomets.

Demonstrated ability to model hypothetical alien megastructures like Dyson Swarms.

Showcased methods to distinguish Dyson disks from planetary signals.

Abstract

We present a versatile transit simulator aimed at generating light curves for arbitrarily shaped objects transiting stars. Utilizing a Monte Carlo algorithm, it accurately models the stellar flux blocked by these objects, producing precise light curves. The simulator adeptly handles realistic background stars, integrating effects such as tidal distortions and limb darkening, alongside the rotational dynamics of transiting objects of arbitrary geometries. We showcase its wide-ranging utility through successful simulations of light curves for single and multi-planet systems, tidally distorted planets, eclipsing binaries and exocomets. Additionally, our simulator can simulate light curves for hypothetical alien megastructures of any conceivable shape, providing avenues to identify interesting candidates for follow-up studies. We demonstrate applications of the simulator in modeling a Dyson Swarm in construction, Dyson rings and Dyson disks, discussing how tidally locked Dyson disks can be distinguished from planetary light curves.