Starspots and spin-orbit alignment in the WASP-4 exoplanetary system

Roberto Sanchis-Ojeda, Joshua N. Winn, Matthew J. Holman, Joshua A. Carter, David J. Osip, Cesar I. Fuentes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

133 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present photometry of four transits of the exoplanet WASP-4b, each with a precision of approximately 500ppm and a time sampling of 40-60 s. We have used the data to refine the estimates of the system parameters and ephemerides. During two of the transits we observed a short-lived, low-amplitude anomaly that we interpret as the occultation of a starspot by the planet. We also found evidence for a pair of similar anomalies in previously published photometry. The recurrence of these anomalies suggests that the stellar rotation axis is nearly aligned with the orbital axis, or else the starspot would not have remained on the transit chord. By analyzing the timings of the anomalies we find the sky-projected stellar obliquity to be λ = -1+14- 12 degrees. This result is consistent with (and more constraining than) a recent observation of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect. It suggests that the planet migration mechanism preserved the initially low obliquity, or else that tidal evolution has realigned the system. Future applications of this method using data from the CoRoT and Kepler missions will allow spin-orbit alignment to be probed for many other exoplanets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number127
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume733
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2011
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • planetary systems
  • stars: individual (WASP-4=USNO-B1.0 0479-0948995)
  • stars: rotation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Starspots and spin-orbit alignment in the WASP-4 exoplanetary system'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this