2009/06/22 by Uwe Wolter, U. Wolter, J. H. M. M. Schmitt +6 · 56 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astronomy #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics #Computer science #Eclipse #Exoplanet #Hot Jupiter #Latitude #Light curve #Longitude #Physics #Planet #RADIUS #Starspot #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #Sunspot #Transit (satellite) #astro-ph.SR
paper · pdf · doi:10.1051/0004-6361/200912329
published in Astronomy and Astrophysics 504(2), 561-564 (EDP Sciences) · accepted by Astronomy and Astrophysics
arxiv created 2009/06/22 · openalex publication_date 2009/07/15 · arxiv updated 2015/05/13 · openalex created_date 2022/08/27 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
We analyze variations in the transit lightcurves of CoRoT-2b, a massive hot Jupiter orbiting a highly active G star. We use one transit lightcurve to eclipse-map a photospheric spot occulted by the planet. In this case study we determine the size and longitude of the eclipsed portion of the starspot and systematically study the corresponding uncertainties. We determine a spot radius between and on the stellar surface and the spot longitude with a precision of about degree. Given the well-known transit geometry of the CoRoT-2 system, this implies a reliable detection of spots on latitudes typically covered by sunspots; the size of the modelled spot is comparable to large spot groups on the Sun. We discuss the future potential of eclipse mapping by planetary transits for the high-resolution analysis of stellar surface features.