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Starspot Jitter in Photometry, Astrometry, and Radial Velocity Measurements

Makarov, V. V. and Beichman, C. A. and Catanzarite, J. H. and Fischer, D. A. and Lebreton, J. and Malbet, F. and Shao, M. (2009) Starspot Jitter in Photometry, Astrometry, and Radial Velocity Measurements. Astrophysical Journal Letters, 707 (1). L73-L76. ISSN 0004-637X http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20091218-145920085

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Abstract

Analytical relations are derived for the amplitude of astrometric, photometric, and radial velocity (RV) perturbations caused by a single rotating spot. The relative power of the starspot jitter is estimated and compared with the available data for κ^1 Ceti and HD 166435, as well as with numerical simulations for κ^1 Ceti and the Sun. A Sun-like star inclined at i = 90° at 10 pc is predicted to have an rms jitter of 0.087 μas in its astrometric position along the equator, and 0.38 m s^(–1) in radial velocities. If the presence of spots due to stellar activity is the ultimate limiting factor for planet detection, the sensitivity of SIM Lite to Earth-like planets in habitable zones is about an order of magnitude higher than the sensitivity of prospective ultra-precise RV observations of nearby stars.


Item Type:Article
Additional Information:© 2009 The American Astronomical Society. Received 2009 September 28; accepted 2009 November 9; published 2009 November 24. The authors thank G. Walker for his detailed and helpful review. The research described in this Letter was in part carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. This research has made use of the NStED database, maintained at NExScI, Pasadena, USA.
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NASAUNSPECIFIED
Subject Keywords:planetary systems; stars: individual (HD 166435, kappa(1) Ceti); stars: spots; techniques: interferometric; techniques: photometric; techniques: radial velocities
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20091218-145920085
Persistent URL:http://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20091218-145920085
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Official Citation:Starspot Jitter in Photometry, Astrometry, and Radial Velocity Measurements V. V. Makarov, C. A. Beichman, J. H. Catanzarite, D. A. Fischer, J. Lebreton, F. Malbet, and M. Shao 2009 ApJ 707 L73-L76 doi: 10.1088/0004-637X/707/1/L73
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:17006
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Tony Diaz
Deposited On:23 Dec 2009 04:04
Last Modified:26 Dec 2012 11:39

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