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2011MNRAS.411.1953P - Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 411, 1953-1962 (2011/March-1)
Reassessing the radial-velocity evidence for planets around CoRoT-7.
PONT F., AIGRAIN S. and ZUCKER S.
Abstract (from CDS):
We build a realistic model of the star's activity during the HARPS observations, by fitting simultaneously the linewidth (as measured by the width of the cross-correlation function) and the line bisector, and use it to evaluate the contribution of activity to the RV variations. The data show clear evidence of errors above the level of the formal uncertainties, which are accounted for neither by activity nor by any plausible planet model and which increase rapidly with a decreasing signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of the spectra. We cite evidence of similar systematics in mid-S/N spectra of other targets obtained with HARPS and other high-precision RV spectrographs, and discuss possible sources. Allowing for these, we re-evaluate the semi-amplitude of the CoRoT-7b signal, finding Kb= 1.6±1.3 m/s, a tentative detection with a much reduced significance (1.2σ) compared to previous estimates. We also argue that the combined presence of activity and additional errors precludes a meaningful search for additional low-mass companions, despite previous claims to the contrary.
Taken at face value, our analysis points to a lower density for CoRoT-7b, the 1σ mass range spanning 1-4 M{o+} and allowing for a wide range of bulk compositions. In particular, an ice-rich composition is compatible with the RV constraints. More generally, this study highlights the importance of a realistic treatment of both activity and uncertainties, particularly in the medium S/N regime, which applies to most small planet candidates from CoRoT and Kepler.
Abstract Copyright: 2010 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society2010 RAS
Journal keyword(s): planetary systems
Simbad objects: 17
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