WASP-104b is darker than charcoal

Močnik, T.; Hellier, C.; Southworth, J.

Abstract

By analyzing the K2 short-cadence data from Campaign 14, we detect phase-curve modulation in the light curve of the hot-Jupiter host star WASP-104. The ellipsoidal modulation is detected with high significance and in agreement with theoretical expectations, while Doppler beaming and reflection modulations are detected tentatively. We show that the visual geometric albedo is lower than 0.03 at 95% confidence, making it one of the least-reflective planets found to date. The light curve also exhibits a rotational modulation, implying a stellar rotational period likely to be near 23 or 46 days. In addition, we refine the system parameters and place tight upper limits for transit timing and duration variations, starspot occultation events, and additional transiting planets.

Citation

Močnik, T., Hellier, C., & Southworth, J. (2018). WASP-104b is darker than charcoal. Astronomical Journal, 156(2), Article 44. https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/aacb26

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 5, 2018
• Publication Date: Jul 6, 2018
• Journal: Astronomical Journal
• Print ISSN: 0004-6256
• Publisher: American Astronomical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 156
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 44
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/aacb26
• Keywords: planets and satellites, fundamental parameters, individual (WASP-104b)
• Publisher URL: http://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/aacb26