A TWO-DIMENSIONAL INFRARED MAP OF THE EXTRASOLAR PLANET HD 189733b

Journal Article · Sat Mar 10 00:00:00 EST 2012 · Astrophysical Journal Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/747/2/L20· OSTI ID:22048005

Majeau, Carl; Agol, Eric

We derive the first secondary eclipse map of an exoplanet, HD 189733b, based on Spitzer IRAC 8 {mu}m data. We develop two complementary techniques for deriving the two-dimensional planet intensity: regularized slice mapping and spherical harmonic mapping. Both techniques give similar derived intensity maps for the infrared dayside flux of the planet, while the spherical harmonic method can be extended to include phase variation data which better constrain the map. The longitudinal offset of the dayside hot spot is consistent with that found in prior studies, strengthening the claim of super-rotating winds, and eliminating the possibility of phase variations being caused by stellar variability. The latitude of the hot spot is within 12.{sup 0}5 (68% confidence) of the planet's equator, confirming the predictions of general circulation models for hot Jupiters and indicative of a small planet obliquity.

• OSTI ID: 22048005
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol. 747, Issue 2; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 2041-8205
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ASTRONOMY
ASTROPHYSICS
ECLIPSE
EQUATOR
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
HOT SPOTS
MAPPING
PLANETS
SPHERICAL CONFIGURATION
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
VARIATIONS