Thesis

On the detection and characterization of transiting exoplanets: beating stellar noise

• Call:

  FCT / IDPASC call 2012

• Academic Year:

  2012 /2013

• Domain:

  Astrophysics

• Supervisor:

  Nuno Santos

• Co-Supervisor:

• Institution:

  Universidade do Porto

• Host Institution:

  Centro de Astrofísica da Universidade do Porto

• Abstract:

  The detection and characterization of extra-solar planets using the photometric transit method is often made difficult by the existence of stellar activity. Spots, and other stellar photospheric features, are able to induce photometric variations on a star that have difference timescales. Furthermore, these stellar surface inhomogeneities make the transit signal "noisy". In this project we propose that the student will develop a code to simulate transit signals in the presence of active stellar features. The code will then be used to model read data to derive improved parameters for transiting planets.