Inner structure determination of transiting close-in planets - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

“ Inner structure determination of transiting close-in planets ” Alexandre C.M. Correia (Univ. Aveiro / IMCCE - Obs. Paris) Twenty years of giant exoplanets OHP 2015 - 9 th October 2015

Tidal effect P orb = P rot Case of the Moon and pependicular axis remaining satellites of the Solar System circular orbits

Tidal ellipsoid R Z X Y

Love number approach

ellipsoid transit

Wasp-12

Wasp-19

Wasp-4

Kepler-78

Density determination theoretical estimation Jupiter-like: h f ≈ 1.5 Earth-like: h f ≈ 2.0

Density determination

Conclusions • The ellipsoidal shape of close-in planets can significantly differ from a sphere, which modifies the transit light curves. • The differences in the light curve are larger than previously thought. When detectable, they provide us invaluable information on the internal structure. • The bulk density of these planets can be up to 15% smaller than current estimates obtained assuming a spherical radius.