Bayesian evidence for two companions orbiting HIP 5158
Abstract
We present results of a Bayesian analysis of radial velocity (RV) data for the star HIP 5158, confirming the presence of two companions and also constraining their orbital parameters. Assuming Keplerian orbits, the two-companion model is found to be e^{48} times more probable than the one-planet model, although the orbital parameters of the second companion are only weakly constrained. The derived orbital periods are 345.6 +/- 2.0 d and 9017.8 +/- 3180.7 d respectively, and the corresponding eccentricities are 0.54 +/- 0.04 and 0.14 +/- 0.10. The limits on planetary mass (m \sin i) and semimajor axis are (1.44 +/- 0.14 M_{J}, 0.89 +/- 0.01 AU) and (15.04 +/- 10.55 M_{J}, 7.70 +/- 1.88 AU) respectively. Owing to large uncertainty on the mass of the second companion, we are unable to determine whether it is a planet or a brown dwarf. The remaining `noise' (stellar jitter) unaccounted for by the model is 2.28 +/- 0.31 m/s. We also analysed a three-companion model, but found it to be e^{8} times less probable than the two-companion model.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1105.1150,
title = {Bayesian evidence for two companions orbiting HIP 5158},
author = {F. Feroz and S. T. Balan and M. P. Hobson},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1105.1150},
year = {2011}
}
Comments
5 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables. Added a couple of figures showing the residuals after one and two companion fits. Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters