English

Probable Spin-Orbit Aligned Super-Earth Planet Candidate KOI-2138.01

Earth and Planetary Astrophysics 2015-12-15 v1

Abstract

We use rotational gravity darkening in the disk of \emph{Kepler} star KOI-2138 to show that the orbit of 2.1R2.1-R_\oplus transiting planet candidate KOI-2138.01 has a low projected spin-orbit alignment of λ=1±13\lambda=1^\circ\pm13. KOI-2138.01 is just the second super-Earth with a measured spin-orbit alignment after 55 Cancri e, and the first to be aligned. With a 23.55-day orbital period, KOI-2138.01 may represent the tip of a future iceberg of solar-system-like terrestrial planets having intermediate periods and low-inclination circular orbits.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1512.03855,
  title  = {Probable Spin-Orbit Aligned Super-Earth Planet Candidate KOI-2138.01},
  author = {Jason W. Barnes and Johnathon P. Ahlers and Shayne A. Seubert and Howard M. Relles},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1512.03855},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

5 pages, 4 figures, published in ApJL 2015 August

R2 v1 2026-06-22T12:07:53.612Z