2023/02/14 by Gregory W. Henry, Jacob L. Bean, Henry, Gregory W. +1 · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP) #FOS: Physical sciences #Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae #Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2302.07874
openalex publication_date 2023/02/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
GJ1214b is the highest signal-to-noise sub-Neptune for atmospheric studies. Although most previous transmission spectroscopy measurements have revealed a frustratingly featureless spectrum, JWST observations are expected to give new insights to this benchmark planet. We have performed photometric monitoring of GJ1214 (the host star) to provide context for these observations. We find that GJ1214 entered a period of relatively high brightness during 2021 and 2022. This implies that the JWST MIRI/LRS phase curve observation of GJ1214b in July 2022 was obtained during an epoch of low activity for the spot-dominated host star. Like previous works, we are unable to definitively identify the star's rotation period. Nevertheless, we confirm that it is likely >50 days.