A planetary eclipse map of CoRoT-2a. Comprehensive lightcurve modeling combining rotational-modulation and transits
Abstract
We analyze the surface structure of the planet host star CoRoT-2a using a consistent model for both the `global' (i.e., rotationally modulated) lightcurve and the transit lightcurves, using data provided by the CoRoT mission. Selecting a time interval covering two stellar rotations and six transits of the planetary companion CoRoT-2b, we adopt a `strip' model of the surface to reproduce the photometric modulation inside and outside the transits simultaneously. Our reconstructions show that it is possible to achieve appropriate fits for the entire sub-interval using a low-resolution surface model with 36 strips. The surface reconstructions indicate that the brightness on the eclipsed section of the stellar surface is (6 +/- 1) % lower than the average brightness of the remaining surface. This result suggests a concentration of stellar activity in a band around the stellar equator similar to the behavior observed on the Sun.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0909.3256,
title = {A planetary eclipse map of CoRoT-2a. Comprehensive lightcurve modeling combining rotational-modulation and transits},
author = {K. F. Huber and S. Czesla and U. Wolter and J. H. M. M. Schmitt},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0909.3256},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
accepted by A&A on 12/09/2009