Masses of Kepler-46b, c from Transit Timing Variations
Abstract
We use 16 quarters of the Kepler mission data to analyze the transit timing variations (TTVs) of the extrasolar planet Kepler-46b (KOI-872). Our dynamical fits confirm that the TTVs of this planet (period P={33.648}-0.005+0.004 days) are produced by a non-transiting planet Kepler-46c (P={57.325}-0.098+0.116 days). The Bayesian inference tool MultiNest is used to infer the dynamical parameters of Kepler-46b and Kepler-46c. We find that the two planets have nearly coplanar and circular orbits, with eccentricities ≃ 0.03 somewhat higher than previously estimated. The masses of the two planets are found to be {M}b={0.885}-0.343+0.374 and {M}c={0.362}-0.016+0.016 Jupiter masses, with M b being determined here from TTVs for the first time. Due to the precession of its orbital plane, Kepler-46c should start transiting its host star a few decades from now.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 2017
- DOI:
- 10.3847/1538-3881/aa64e0
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1704.01541
- Bibcode:
- 2017AJ....153..198S
- Keywords:
-
- planetary systems;
- Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 12 pages, 6 figures