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Detectability of planetary rings around an extrasolar planet from reflected-light photometry

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2006

L. Arnold
Affiliation:
CNRS - Observatoire de Haute-Provence 04870 Saint-Michel-l'Observatoire, France email: arnold@obs-hp.fr
J. Schneider
Affiliation:
Observatoire de Paris-Meudon, 92195, Meudon Cedex, France email: Jean.Schneider@obspm.fr
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Abstract

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The next generation of high-contrast imaging instruments will provide the first unresolved image of an extrasolar planet. While the emitted infrared light from the planet in thermal equilibrium should show almost no phase effect, the reflected visible light will vary with the orbital phase angle. We study the photometric variation of the reflected light with orbital phase of a ringed extrasolar planet. We show that a ring around an extrasolar planet, both obviously unresolved, can be detected by its specific photometric signature.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
© 2006 International Astronomical Union