Limits on the orbits and masses of moons around currently-known transiting exoplanets

C. Weidner; K. Horne

doi:10.1051/0004-6361/201014955

Limits on the orbits and masses of moons around currently-known transiting exoplanets

C. Weidner^*, K. Horne

^*Corresponding author for this work

School of Physics and Astronomy

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Aims. Current and upcoming space missions may be able to detect moons of transiting extra-solar planets. In this context it is important to understand if exomoons are expected to exist and what their possible properties are.

Methods. Using estimates for the stability of exomoon orbits from numerical studies, a list of 87 known transiting exoplanets is tested for the potential to host large exomoons.

Results. For 92% of the sample, moons larger than Luna can be excluded on prograde orbits, unless the parent exoplanet's internal structure is very different from the gas-giants of the solar system. Only WASP-24b, OGLE2-TR-L9, CoRoT-3b and CoRoT-9b could have moons above 0.4 m(circle plus), which is within the likely detection capabilities of current observational facilities. Additionally, the range of possible orbital radii of exomoons of the known transiting exoplanets, with two exceptions, is below 8 Jupiter-radii and therefore rather small.

Original language	English
Article number	76
Number of pages	6
Journal	Astronomy & Astrophysics
Volume	521
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201014955
Publication status	Published - Oct 2010

Keywords

astrobiology
planets and satellites: detection
planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability
planets and satellites: formation
EXTRASOLAR GIANT PLANETS
COROT SPACE MISSION
HOT-JUPITER PLANET
HABITABLE EXOMOONS
DWARF STARS
SATELLITES
PERIOD
SIMULATIONS
CANDIDATES
MAGNITUDE

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10.1051/0004-6361/201014955

Astrophysics in St Andrews: Astrophysics in St Andrews / SUPA (Continuan of Rolling Grant - XPP089
Bonnell, I. A. (PI), Cameron, A. C. (CoI), Dominik, M. (CoI), Driver, S. P. (CoI), Greaves, J. S. (CoI), Horne, K. D. (CoI), Jardine, M. M. (CoI), Wood, K. (CoI) & Zhao, H. (CoI)
Science & Technology Facilities Council
1/04/09 → 31/03/12
Project: Standard

Cite this

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title = "Limits on the orbits and masses of moons around currently-known transiting exoplanets",

abstract = "Aims. Current and upcoming space missions may be able to detect moons of transiting extra-solar planets. In this context it is important to understand if exomoons are expected to exist and what their possible properties are.Methods. Using estimates for the stability of exomoon orbits from numerical studies, a list of 87 known transiting exoplanets is tested for the potential to host large exomoons.Results. For 92% of the sample, moons larger than Luna can be excluded on prograde orbits, unless the parent exoplanet's internal structure is very different from the gas-giants of the solar system. Only WASP-24b, OGLE2-TR-L9, CoRoT-3b and CoRoT-9b could have moons above 0.4 m(circle plus), which is within the likely detection capabilities of current observational facilities. Additionally, the range of possible orbital radii of exomoons of the known transiting exoplanets, with two exceptions, is below 8 Jupiter-radii and therefore rather small.",

keywords = "astrobiology, planets and satellites: detection, planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability, planets and satellites: formation, EXTRASOLAR GIANT PLANETS, COROT SPACE MISSION, HOT-JUPITER PLANET, HABITABLE EXOMOONS, DWARF STARS, SATELLITES, PERIOD, SIMULATIONS, CANDIDATES, MAGNITUDE",

author = "C. Weidner and K. Horne",

year = "2010",

month = oct,

doi = "10.1051/0004-6361/201014955",

language = "English",

volume = "521",

journal = "Astronomy & Astrophysics",

issn = "0004-6361",

publisher = "EDP SCIENCES S A",

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T1 - Limits on the orbits and masses of moons around currently-known transiting exoplanets

AU - Weidner, C.

AU - Horne, K.

PY - 2010/10

Y1 - 2010/10

N2 - Aims. Current and upcoming space missions may be able to detect moons of transiting extra-solar planets. In this context it is important to understand if exomoons are expected to exist and what their possible properties are.Methods. Using estimates for the stability of exomoon orbits from numerical studies, a list of 87 known transiting exoplanets is tested for the potential to host large exomoons.Results. For 92% of the sample, moons larger than Luna can be excluded on prograde orbits, unless the parent exoplanet's internal structure is very different from the gas-giants of the solar system. Only WASP-24b, OGLE2-TR-L9, CoRoT-3b and CoRoT-9b could have moons above 0.4 m(circle plus), which is within the likely detection capabilities of current observational facilities. Additionally, the range of possible orbital radii of exomoons of the known transiting exoplanets, with two exceptions, is below 8 Jupiter-radii and therefore rather small.

AB - Aims. Current and upcoming space missions may be able to detect moons of transiting extra-solar planets. In this context it is important to understand if exomoons are expected to exist and what their possible properties are.Methods. Using estimates for the stability of exomoon orbits from numerical studies, a list of 87 known transiting exoplanets is tested for the potential to host large exomoons.Results. For 92% of the sample, moons larger than Luna can be excluded on prograde orbits, unless the parent exoplanet's internal structure is very different from the gas-giants of the solar system. Only WASP-24b, OGLE2-TR-L9, CoRoT-3b and CoRoT-9b could have moons above 0.4 m(circle plus), which is within the likely detection capabilities of current observational facilities. Additionally, the range of possible orbital radii of exomoons of the known transiting exoplanets, with two exceptions, is below 8 Jupiter-radii and therefore rather small.

KW - astrobiology

KW - planets and satellites: detection

KW - planets and satellites: dynamical evolution and stability

KW - planets and satellites: formation

KW - EXTRASOLAR GIANT PLANETS

KW - COROT SPACE MISSION

KW - HOT-JUPITER PLANET

KW - HABITABLE EXOMOONS

KW - DWARF STARS

KW - SATELLITES

KW - PERIOD

KW - SIMULATIONS

KW - CANDIDATES

KW - MAGNITUDE

U2 - 10.1051/0004-6361/201014955

DO - 10.1051/0004-6361/201014955

M3 - Article

SN - 0004-6361

VL - 521

JO - Astronomy & Astrophysics

JF - Astronomy & Astrophysics

M1 - 76

ER -

Limits on the orbits and masses of moons around currently-known transiting exoplanets

Abstract

Keywords

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Projects

Astrophysics in St Andrews: Astrophysics in St Andrews / SUPA (Continuan of Rolling Grant - XPP089

Cite this