Investigating the physical properties of transiting hot Jupiters with the 1.5-m Kuiper Telescope

Abstract

We present new photometric data of 11 hot Jupiter transiting exoplanets (CoRoT-12b, HAT-P-5b, HAT-P-12b, HAT-P-33b, HAT-P-37b, WASP-2b, WASP-24b, WASP-60b, WASP-80b, WASP-103b and XO-3b) in order to update their planetary parameters and to constrain information about their atmospheres. These observations of CoRoT-12b, HAT-P-37b and WASP60b are the first follow-up data since their discovery. Additionally, the first near-UV transits of WASP-80b and WASP-103b are presented. We compare the results of our analysis with previous work to search for transit timing variations (TTVs) and a wavelength dependence in the transit depth. TTVs may be evidence of a third body in the system, and variations in planetary radius with wavelength can help constrain the properties of the exoplanet's atmosphere. For WASP-103b and XO-3b, we find a possible variation in the transit depths which may be evidence of scattering in their atmospheres. The B-band transit depth of HAT-P-37b is found to be smaller than its near-IR transit depth and such a variation may indicate TiO/VO absorption. These variations are detected from 2-4.6σ , so follow-up observations are needed to confirm these results. Additionally, a flat spectrum across optical wavelengths is found for five of the planets (HAT-P-5b, HAT-P-12b, WASP-2b, WASP-24b and WASP-80b), suggestive that clouds may be present in their atmospheres. We calculate a refined orbital period and ephemeris for all the targets, which will help with future observations. No TTVs are seen in our analysis with the exception of WASP-80b and follow-up observations are needed to confirm this possible detection.

The GAPS programme with HARPS-N at TNG

“…According to Bonomo et al (2017), the eccentricity of the orbit of WASP-60 b is compatible with zero, but with an uncertainty larger than 0.05. A new incomplete, photometric light curve of a WASP-60 b transit was reported by Turner et al (2017). No further follow-up works have yet been presented for this exoplanetary system.…”

“…Furthermore, for the analysis of the photometric parameters, we used two light curves: the one presented in Sect. 3.2.3 and the one from Turner et al (2017). Comparing the quality of these two light curves (see Fig.…”

“…For HAT-P-3, we also considered the JKTEBOP best-fitting results obtained by Southworth (2012), who analysed five published light curves of HAT-P-3 b transits; moreover, for WASP-60, we considered the partial light curve obtained by Turner et al (2017) and modelled this event with JKTEBOP as well (see Fig. 5).…”

“…4. (e) The photometric parameters of WASP-60 were estimated from the light curve presented in this work and the one fromTurner et al (2017), seeFig. 5.…”

Minerva-Australis. I. Design, Commissioning, and First Photometric Results

“…Our The orbital period we measured is P = 2.152160 +0.000025 −0.000020 days, which does not agree to within 3σ of the published period of P = 2.152226 ± 0.000004 days (difference of 0.000066 days or ∼ 3.3σ). The source of this discrepancy is not clear and Turner et al (2017)…”