2026ApJ...997..297S


Query : 2026ApJ...997..297S

2026ApJ...997..297S - Astrophys. J., 997, 297 (2026/February-1)

Polka-dotted Stars. II. Starspots and Obliquities of Kepler-17 and Kepler-63.

SAGYNBAYEVA S. and FARR W.M.

Abstract (from CDS):

Starspots trace stellar magnetic activity and affect both stellar evolution and exoplanet characterization. While occultation-based spot studies have been applied to individual systems, comparative analyses remain limited. We apply the StarryStarryProcess Bayesian surface mapping framework to archival Kepler light curves of two planet hosts-Kepler-63 and Kepler-17-extending the validation established on TOI-3884 (Paper I). Across both systems, we infer characteristic spot radii of <10∘. The latitudinal distributions of both G-dwarfs exhibit active latitudes (Kepler-63 at ±30∘, Kepler-17 at ±15∘). Our analysis yields stellar obliquity measurements in excellent agreement with previous studies for both systems. This validates our methodology and demonstrates that transit-based surface mapping can simultaneously recover planetary parameters, stellar orientations, and magnetic morphologies. The analysis of the systems inferred nearly aligned (Kepler-17) to highly misaligned (Kepler-63) geometries.

Abstract Copyright: © 2026. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.

Journal keyword(s): Exoplanet astronomy - Starspots - Orbits - Gaussian Processes regression - Astronomy data analysis

Simbad objects: 6

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Number of rows : 6
N Identifier Otype ICRS (J2000)
RA
ICRS (J2000)
DEC
Mag U Mag B Mag V Mag R Mag I Sp type #ref
1850 - 2026
#notes
1 LSPM J1206+1230 PM* 12 06 17.4370907952 +12 30 24.883810596   16.8   14.6   ~ 25 0
2 Kepler-63 Er* 19 16 54.2861367672 +49 32 53.451062520   12.449 11.733 11.701   G2V 145 1
3 Kepler-63b Pl 19 16 54.2861367672 +49 32 53.451062520           ~ 87 1
4 Kepler-45 Ro* 19 31 29.4966491088 +41 03 51.356401092     16.88 16.63   M1V 120 1
5 Kepler-17 Ro* 19 53 34.8643397568 +47 48 54.049530564   14.6   13.6   G5V 175 1
6 Kepler-17b Pl 19 53 34.8643397568 +47 48 54.049530564           ~ 110 1

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