NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0209
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0209 |
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PI: David Sing, University of Exeter, sing@astro.ex.ac.uk
Address: School of Physics, stocker road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom
CoI: Frederic Pont, University of Exeter
CoI: Paul Anthony Wilson, University of Exeter
Title: Monitoring the Stellar Activity of Transit-Hosting Stars: supporting exoplanet atmosphere observations
Abstract:
We propose to use the CTIO 1.3m telescope to monitor the transit-
hosting star Wasp-19 in an effort to characterize the activity. These
observations will provide critical ground-based support for our ongoing
exoplanet atmospheric programs, whose main goals are to produce
exoplanet transmission spectra for Wasp-19b and study atmospheric
features. The presence of star spots during a transit complicates the
interpretation of transit data, as the planet-to-star radius ratio
changes with spot activity, potentially troublesome for observations
spread out over a course of several months or more. By monitoring these
targets with ground-based optical photometry, the spot activity can be
determined at the time of the transit observations, and the stellar
baseline flux properly normalized for every transit observed. This is a
vital correction which is necessary to obtain accurate exoplanet radii
from transit light curve fits.
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, 950 North Cherry Avenue, P.O. Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85726, Phone: (520) 318-8000, Fax: (520) 318-8360
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NOAO > Observing Info > Approved Programs > 2011A-0209 |
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