1:45 PM - 3:15 PM
[O11-P59] Reflectivity of Exoplanets and Estimation of Their Surface Conditions
Keywords:Exoplanet, secondary eclipse, albedo
This study focuses on estimating the reflectivity (albedo) of exoplanets by analyzing secondary eclipses—events in which a planet passes behind its host star. Using TESS data from the MAST archive, we first conducted a validation analysis on WASP-18b, comparing stellar brightness during and outside the eclipse. The initial result showed an unusually high albedo (~0.75), exceeding the known upper limit (0.048), likely due to unaccounted stellar tidal deformation.
Applying the method to WASP-94Ab yielded an even higher and unrealistic albedo (2.84), reinforcing the influence of stellar deformation on light curves. Future improvements will incorporate tidal effects to refine reflectivity estimates. This approach contributes to understanding exoplanetary atmospheres and the broader mechanisms of planetary system formation.
Applying the method to WASP-94Ab yielded an even higher and unrealistic albedo (2.84), reinforcing the influence of stellar deformation on light curves. Future improvements will incorporate tidal effects to refine reflectivity estimates. This approach contributes to understanding exoplanetary atmospheres and the broader mechanisms of planetary system formation.