WASP-1b and WASP-2b: two new transiting exoplanets detected with SuperWASP and SOPHIE

in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2007), 375

We have detected low-amplitude radial-velocity variations in two stars, USNO-B1.0 1219-0005465 (GSC 02265-00107 = WASP-1) and USNO-B1.0 0964-0543604 (GSC 00522-01199 = WASP-2). Both stars were identified ... [more ▼]

We have detected low-amplitude radial-velocity variations in two stars, USNO-B1.0 1219-0005465 (GSC 02265-00107 = WASP-1) and USNO-B1.0 0964-0543604 (GSC 00522-01199 = WASP-2). Both stars were identified as being likely host stars of transiting exoplanets in the 2004 SuperWASP wide-field transit survey. Using the newly commissioned radial-velocity spectrograph SOPHIE at the Observatoire de Haute-Provence, we found that both objects exhibit reflex orbital radial-velocity variations with amplitudes characteristic of planetary-mass companions and in-phase with the photometric orbits. Line-bisector studies rule out faint blended binaries as the cause of either the radial-velocity variations or the transits. We perform preliminary spectral analyses of the host stars, which together with their radial-velocity variations and fits to the transit light curves yield estimates of the planetary masses and radii. WASP-1b and WASP-2b have orbital periods of 2.52 and 2.15 d, respectively. Given mass estimates for their F7V and K1V primaries, we derive planet masses 0.80-0.98 and 0.81-0.95 times that of Jupiter, respectively. WASP-1b appears to have an inflated radius of at least 1.33 R[SUB]Jup[/SUB], whereas WASP-2b has a radius in the range 0.65-1.26 R[SUB]Jup[/SUB]. [less ▲]

Comet C/2006 P1 (McNaught)

in Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams (CBETs) (2007), 832

CBET 832 available at Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams.

Deep Impact: Observations from a Worldwide Earth-Based Campaign

in Science (2005), 310

On 4 July 2005, many observatories around the world and in space observed the collision of Deep Impact with comet 9P/Tempel 1 or its aftermath. This was an unprecedented coordinated observational campaign ... [more ▼]

On 4 July 2005, many observatories around the world and in space observed the collision of Deep Impact with comet 9P/Tempel 1 or its aftermath. This was an unprecedented coordinated observational campaign. These data show that (i) there was new material after impact that was compositionally different from that seen before impact; (ii) the ratio of dust mass to gas mass in the ejecta was much larger than before impact; (iii) the new activity did not last more than a few days, and by 9 July the comet's behavior was indistinguishable from its pre-impact behavior; and (iv) there were interesting transient phenomena that may be correlated with cratering physics. [less ▲]

A fluorescence model of the C[SUB]3[/SUB] radical in comets

in Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society (2000, October 01)

The fluorescence spectrum of the C[SUB]3[/SUB] radical in comets is investigated. A theoretical model which takes into account the rotational structure and the different vibrational levels of the bending ... [more ▼]

The fluorescence spectrum of the C[SUB]3[/SUB] radical in comets is investigated. A theoretical model which takes into account the rotational structure and the different vibrational levels of the bending mode ν [SUB]2[/SUB] involved in the emision of the 4050 à \ group, is elaborated. This model is used to interpret high-resolution spectra of some recent comets. The agreement between observed and theoretical spectra is satisfactory with some realistic assumptions on the electronic oscillator strength and the dipole moment derivative, which determine the relative importance of the rotation-vibration transitions. Different synthetic spectra which show the influence of the Swings effect and the consequences of the change in the heliocentric distance are also calculated and are presented. [less ▲]