Bibcode
DOI
Devor, Jonathan; Charbonneau, David; Torres, Guillermo; Blake, Cullen H.; White, Russel J.; Rabus, Markus; O'Donovan, Francis T.; Mandushev, Georgi; Bakos, Gaspar Á.; Fűrész, Gábor; Szentgyorgyi, Andrew
Bibliographical reference
The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 687, Issue 2, pp. 1253-1263.
Advertised on:
11
2008
Journal
Citations
30
Refereed citations
25
Description
We describe the discovery of a 0.68+0.52 Msolar eclipsing
binary (EB) with an 8.4 day orbital period, found through a systematic
search of 10 fields of the Trans-atlantic Exoplanet Survey (TrES). Such
long-period low-mass EBs constitute critical test cases for resolving
the long-standing discrepancy between the theoretical and observational
mass-radius relations at the bottom of the main sequence. It has been
suggested that this discrepancy may be related to strong stellar
magnetic fields, which are not properly accounted for in current
theoretical models. All previously well-characterized low-mass
main-sequence EBs have periods of a few days or less, and their
components are therefore expected to be rotating rapidly as a result of
tidal synchronization, thus generating strong magnetic fields. In
contrast, the binary system described here has a period that is more
than 3 times longer than previously characterized low-mass main-sequence
EBs, and its components rotate relatively slowly. It is therefore
expected to have a weaker magnetic field and to better match the
assumptions of theoretical stellar models. Our follow-up observations of
this EB yield preliminary stellar properties that suggest it is indeed
consistent with current models. If further observations confirm a low
level of activity in this system, these determinations would provide
support for the hypothesis that the mass-radius discrepancy is at least
partly due to magnetic activity.
Related projects
Helio and Astero-Seismology and Exoplanets Search
The principal objectives of this project are: 1) to study the structure and dynamics of the solar interior, 2) to extend this study to other stars, 3) to search for extrasolar planets using photometric methods (primarily by transits of their host stars) and their characterization (using radial velocity information) and 4) the study of the planetary
Savita
Mathur