The lupus transit survey for hot Jupiters: Results and lessons

Daniel D.R. Bayliss, David T.F. Weldrake, Penny D. Sackett, Brandon W. Tingley, Karen M. Lewis

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    7 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    We present the results of a deep, wide-field transit survey targeting "Hot Jupiter" planets in the Lupus region of the Galactic plane conducted over 53 nights concentrated in two epochs separated by a year. Using the Australian National University 40-inch telescope at Siding Spring Observatory (SSO), the survey covered a 0.66 deg2 region close to the Galactic plane (b = 11°) and monitored a total of 110,372 stars (15.0 ≤ V ≤ 22.0). Using difference imaging photometry, 16,134 light curves with a photometric precision of σ < 0.025 mag were obtained. These light curves were searched for transits, and four candidates were detected that displayed low-amplitude variability consistent with a transiting giant planet. Further investigations, including spectral typing and radial velocity measurements for some candidates, revealed that of the four, one is a true planetary companion (Lupus-TR-3), two are blended systems (Lupus-TR-1 and 4), and one is a binary (Lupus-TR-2). The results of this successful survey are instructive for optimizing the observational strategy and follow-up procedure for deep searches for transiting planets, including an upcoming survey using the SkyMapper telescope at SSO.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4368-4376
    Number of pages9
    JournalAstronomical Journal
    Volume137
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - May 2009

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The lupus transit survey for hot Jupiters: Results and lessons'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this