Universität zu Köln

Korth, Judith ORCID: 0000-0002-0076-6239 (2020). Characterization of extrasolar multi-planet systems by transit timing variation. PhD thesis, Universität zu Köln.

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Abstract

Planetary systems with transiting planets allow the measurement of the planetary radius, which is essential to constrain the planet’s evolution and migration history, as well as to characterize its internal structure. The second fundamental parameter for the characterization is the planetary mass, that together with the radius allows the bulk density of a planet to be estimated, thereby constraining its composition. However, precise measurements of planetary masses are difficult to obtain, in particular for small planets. If there are multiple planets in a system, the planetary masses can be determined using transit timing variations (TTVs). Since TTVs are mainly caused by the gravitational interaction between the planets, the planetary parameters including their masses can be estimated by inverting the transit timing variation signal. This thesis focuses on the characterization of extrasolar multi-planet systems using TTVs. An open-source package, Python Tool for Transit Variations (PyTTV), was developed to (1) search and identify transit variations and (2) estimate the physical quantities of planets in multi-planet systems based on the derived TTVs. PyTTV determines the physical quantities of planets in multi-planet systems by an n-body orbit integration which considers the gravitational forces, the effects of general relativity, and tidal interactions. It is shown that PyTTV can detect short-term transit variations, as well as long-term transit variations using all the available Kepler and TESS light curves. Furthermore, it is shown, that PyTTV is able to estimate planetary parameters by simultaneously modeling transit timing variations, transit duration variations, and radial velocity observations. The simultaneous modeling of transit timing variations, transit duration variations, and radial velocity observations has been carried out for the Kepler-9, Kepler-289 and K2-146 systems and is presented in this thesis for the first time.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD thesis)
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Korth, Judith judithkorth@gmail.com orcid.org/0000-0002-0076-6239 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-112890
Date:	2020
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Externe Einrichtungen > An-Institute > Associated Institutes of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Rhenish Institute for Environmental Research - RIU
Subjects:	Physics Earth sciences
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language Exoplanet UNSPECIFIED transit timing variation UNSPECIFIED dynamical interaction UNSPECIFIED transit UNSPECIFIED Kepler UNSPECIFIED TESS UNSPECIFIED
Date of oral exam:	22 April 2020
Referee:	Name Academic Title Pätzold, Martin Priv. Doz. Dr. Saur, Joachim Prof. Dr.
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/11289