Most sub-arcsecond companions of Kepler exoplanet candidate host stars are gravitationally bound
Article
Article Title | Most sub-arcsecond companions of Kepler exoplanet candidate host stars are gravitationally bound |
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ERA Journal ID | 1057 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Horch, Elliott P. (Author), Howell, Steve B. (Author), Everett, Mark E. (Author) and Ciardi, David R. (Author) |
Journal Title | The Astrophysical Journal: an international review of astronomy and astronomical physics |
Journal Citation | 795 (1), pp. 60-69 |
Article Number | 60 |
Number of Pages | 10 |
Year | 2014 |
Publisher | IOP Publishing |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 0004-637X |
1538-4357 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/795/1/60 |
Web Address (URL) | http://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0004-637X/795/1/60 |
Abstract | Using the known detection limits for high-resolution imaging observations and the statistical properties of true binary and line-of-sight companions, we estimate the binary fraction of Kepler exoplanet host stars. Our speckle imaging programs at the WIYN 3.5 m and Gemini North 8.1 m telescopes have observed over 600 Kepler objects of interest and detected 49 stellar companions within 1 arcsec. Assuming binary stars follow a log-normal period distribution for an effective temperature range of 3000-10,000 K, then the model predicts that the vast majority of detected sub-arcsecond companions are long period (P > 50 yr), gravitationally bound companions. In comparing the model predictions to the number of real detections in both observational programs, we conclude that the overall binary fraction of host stars is similar to the 40%-50% rate observed for field stars. |
Keywords | Binaries: visual; Planetary systems; Stars: solar-type; Techniques: high angular resolution; Techniques: interferometric; Techniques: photometric; |
Contains Sensitive Content | Does not contain sensitive content |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 510109. Stellar astronomy and planetary systems |
Public Notes | For access to this article, please click on the URL link provided. |
Byline Affiliations | Southern Connecticut State University, United States |
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), United States | |
National Optical Astronomy Observatory, United States | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4309/most-sub-arcsecond-companions-of-kepler-exoplanet-candidate-host-stars-are-gravitationally-bound
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