The Transit Light-curve Project. XIV. Confirmation of Anomalous Radii for the Exoplanets TrES-4b, HAT-P-3b, and WASP-12b
Abstract
We present transit photometry of three exoplanets, TrES-4b, HAT-P-3b, and WASP-12b, allowing for refined estimates of the systems' parameters. TrES-4b and WASP-12b were confirmed to be "bloated" planets, with radii of 1.706 ± 0.056R Jup and 1.736 ± 0.092R Jup, respectively. These planets are too large to be explained with standard models of gas giant planets. In contrast, HAT-P-3b has a radius of 0.827 ± 0.055R Jup, smaller than a pure hydrogen-helium planet and indicative of a highly metal-enriched composition. Analyses of the transit timings revealed no significant departures from strict periodicity. For TrES-4, our relatively recent observations allow for improvement in the orbital ephemerides, which is useful for planning future observations.
- Publication:
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The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- June 2011
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0004-6256/141/6/179
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1103.3078
- Bibcode:
- 2011AJ....141..179C
- Keywords:
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- planetary systems;
- stars: individual: TrES-4 HAT-P-3 WASP-12;
- Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- AJ, in press [11 pages]