Institute of Astronomy

Analysis and modeling of a giant transiting multiple ring system around the substellar companion J1407b

SpeakerTalk DateTalk Series
Matthew Kenworthy28 July 2014Across HR 2014 Posters

Abstract

In May 2007 the nearby young (17 Myr) pre-MS star J1407 underwent a series of deep complex eclipses that lasted over 60 days. These eclipses were interpreted by Mamajek et al. (2012) to be caused by a giant ring system of up to 60 million km in diameter surrounding an unseen substellar companion, J1407b. A re-analysis of the photometry shows structure down to timescales of 1 hour, consistent with the movement of ring edges across the diameter of the stellar disk. We present our model of this giant exo-Saturn ring system, showing how we can simultaneously solve for the geometry of the ring system and the detection of over 20 individual rings. The presence of highly structured multiple rings is a signpost of the presence of exomoons. Future transits of this ring system will provide a unique observing opportunity to study a young ring system in formation.

Presentation

Presentation unavailable