The Rossiter-McLaughlin effect for exoplanets

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

There are now more than 30 stars with transiting planets for which the stellar obliquity - or more precisely its sky projection - has been measured, via the eponymous effect of Rossiter and McLaughlin. The history of these measurements is intriguing. For 8 years a case was gradually building that the orbits of hot Jupiters are always well-aligned with the rotation of their parent stars. Then in a sudden reversal, many misaligned systems were found, and it now seems that even retrograde systems are not uncommon. I review the measurement technique underlying these discoveries, the patterns that have emerged from the data, and the implications for theories of planet formation and migration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationDetection and Dynamics of Transiting Exoplanets
EditorsR. Diaz, C. Moutou, F. Bouchy
PublisherEDP Sciences
ISBN (Electronic)9782759806195
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 16 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event2010 International Conference on Transiting Planets: Detection and Dynamics - St. Michel l'Observatoire, France
Duration: Aug 23 2010Aug 27 2010

Publication series

NameEPJ Web of Conferences
Volume11
ISSN (Print)2101-6275
ISSN (Electronic)2100-014X

Other

Other2010 International Conference on Transiting Planets: Detection and Dynamics
Country/TerritoryFrance
CitySt. Michel l'Observatoire
Period8/23/108/27/10

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Rossiter-McLaughlin effect for exoplanets'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this