Kepler-413b explained

Kepler-413b
Discovered:2013
Discovery Method:Transit (Kepler Mission)
Apsis:astron
Semimajor:0.3553AU
Eccentricity:0.118
Period:66.262 d
Inclination:2.5 (varies)
Star:Kepler-413 AB
Mean Radius:0.388
Mass:0.2110

Kepler-413b (also known as Kepler-413(AB)b) is a circumbinary planet orbiting stars Kepler-413 A and Kepler-413 B, which respectively are K and M dwarfs. These host stars orbit each other with orbital period of 10.1 days.

Discovery

Kepler-413b was discovered by observing the planet dimming the brightest host star. By looking at transit patterns it was discovered that the planet first made 3 transits in 180 days, then in the next 800 days, there were no transits until the next one. This transit pattern helped to quickly confirm the existence of the planet despite the host stars being relatively faint.[1]

The existence of the planet was first preliminary announced in Kepler Science Conference in November 2013. The final paper was submitted in January 2014.[2]

Characteristics

Kepler-413b is a Neptune sized planet with an orbital period of about 66.262 days. The orbital misalignment of Kepler-413b causes extreme seasonal variations for the planet due to its constantly changing axial tilt.[3]

Notes and References

  1. https://arxiv.org/abs/1401.7275 Kepler-413b: a slightly misaligned, Neptune-size transiting circumbinary planet
  2. http://nexsci.caltech.edu/conferences/KeplerII/agenda.shtml Hit and miss: a slightly misaligned circumbinary planet KIC12351927b
  3. Web site: Kepler Finds a Very Wobbly Planet . . https://web.archive.org/web/20220925081726/https://www.nasa.gov/ames/kepler-finds-a-very-wobbly-planet/ . 2022-09-25 . live .