The impact of faculae on the radius determination of exoplanets: the case of the M-star GJ 1214

Abstract

Precise measurements of exoplanets radii are of key importance for our understanding of the origin and nature of these objects. Measurement of the planet radii using the transit method have reached a precision that the effects of stellar surface features have to be taken into account. While the effects from spots have already been studied in detail, our knowledge of the effects caused by faculae is still limited. This is particularly the case for M-stars. Faculae can pose a problem if they are inhomogeneously distributed on the stellar surface. Using the eclipse mapping method, we study the distribution of the faculae on the surface of GJ 1214 using the Ca ii H&K lines as tracers. In order to assess the homogeneity of the distribution in a quantitative way, we introduce the inhomogeneity factor IHF. IHF is 0 per cent if the distribution is homogeneous, positive, if the plage regions are preferentially located along the path of the planet, and negative, if they are preferentially located outside the path of the planet. For GJ 1214, we derive a rather small value of $\rm IHF=7.7_{-7.7}^{+12.0}{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. We discuss the relevance of this result in the context of the PLATO and ARIEL missions.