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2013MNRAS.428.3680G - Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 428, 3680-3692 (2013/February-1)

A Gemini ground-based transmission spectrum of WASP-29b: a featureless spectrum from 515 to 720 nm.

GIBSON N.P., AIGRAIN S., BARSTOW J.K., EVANS T.M., FLETCHER L.N. and IRWIN P.G.J.

Abstract (from CDS):

We report Gemini-South Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph observations of the exoplanet system WASP-29 during primary transit as a test case for differential spectrophotometry. We use the multi-object spectrograph to observe the target star and a comparison star simultaneously to produce multiple light curves at varying wavelengths. The `white' light curve and 15 `spectral' light curves are analysed to refine the system parameters and produce a transmission spectrum from ∼ 515 to 720 nm. All light curves exhibit time-correlated noise, which we model using a variety of techniques. These include a simple noise rescaling, a Gaussian process model and a wavelet-based method. These methods all produce consistent results, although with different uncertainties. The precision of the transmission spectrum is improved by subtracting a common signal from all the spectral light curves, reaching a typical precision of ∼ 1 x10-4 in transit depth. The transmission spectrum is free of spectral features, and given the non-detection of a pressure broadened Na feature, we can rule out the presence of a Na-rich atmosphere free of clouds or hazes, although we cannot rule out a narrow Na core. This indicates that Na is not present in the atmosphere, and/or that clouds/hazes play a significant role in the atmosphere and mask the broad wings of the Na feature, although the former is a more likely explanation given WASP-29b's equilibrium temperature of ∼ 970 K, at which Na can form various compounds. We also briefly discuss the use of Gaussian process and wavelet methods to account for time-correlated noise in transit light curves.

Abstract Copyright: © 2012 The Authors Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society (2012)

Journal keyword(s): methods: data analysis - techniques: spectroscopic - stars: individual: WASP-29 - planetary systems

Simbad objects: 5

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