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CHEOPS precision phase curve of the Super-Earth 55 Cancri e

Maxted

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Abstract

Context. 55 Cnc e is a transiting super-Earth (radius 1.88 R? and mass 8 M?) orbiting a G8V host star on a 17-h orbit. Spitzer observations of the planet’s phase curve at 4.5 µm revealed a time-varying occultation depth, and MOST optical observations are consistent with a time-varying phase curve amplitude and phase offset of maximum light. Both broadband and high-resolution spectroscopic analyses are consistent with either a high mean molecular weight atmosphere or no atmosphere for planet e. A long-term photometric monitoring campaign on an independent optical telescope is needed to probe the variability in this system.

Aims. We seek to measure the phase variations of 55 Cnc e with a broadband optical filter with the 30 cm effective aperture space telescope CHEOPS and explore how the precision photometry narrows down the range of possible scenarios.

Methods. We observed 55 Cnc for 1.6 orbital phases in March of 2020. We designed a phase curve detrending toolkit for CHEOPS photometry which allowed us to study the underlying flux variations in the 55 Cnc system.

Results. We detected a phase variation with a full-amplitude of 72 ± 7 ppm, but did not detect a significant secondary eclipse of the planet. The shape of the phase variation resembles that of a piecewise-Lambertian; however, the non-detection of the planetary secondary eclipse, and the large amplitude of the variations exclude reflection from the planetary surface as a possible origin of the observed phase variations. They are also likely incompatible with magnetospheric interactions between the star and planet, but may imply that circumplanetary or circumstellar material modulate the flux of the system.

Conclusions. This year, further precision photometry of 55 Cnc from CHEOPS will measure variations in the phase curve amplitude and shape over time.

Acceptance Date May 11, 2021
Publication Date Sep 30, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Astronomy & Astrophysics
Print ISSN 0004-6361
Publisher EDP Sciences
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202140892
Keywords techniques: photometric; methods: observational; planets and satellites: atmospheres; stars: individual: 55 Cnc; planets and satellites: individual: 55 Cnc e; instrumentation: photometers
Publisher URL https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/abs/2021/09/aa40892-21/aa40892-21.html

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