Modeling the Radial Velocity of Spica Using Bayesian Statistics
Authors' Class Standing
Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Timothy Robinette
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Aufdenberg
Abstract
The Interactive Data Language (IDL) code Exofast is a Bayesian Markov Monte Carlo (MCMC) code for estimating transiting exoplantet parameters from light curve and radial velocity data. This code will be modified to take light curve and radial velocity data of the distorted binary system Spica to estimate critical orbital parameters for the system including: eccentricity, argument of periastron, and the semi-major axis. This will require Exofast to call a more sophisticated light-curve algorithm, which includes the tidal distortion of the primary star and takes into account the gravity darkening of both stellar components. This separate IDL code exists and will need to be merged with Exofast. Once this is accomplished, the Exofast code will be further modified to take interferometric data in addition to light curve and radial velocity data to fit all of the Spica data simultaneously and yield the binary system’s inclination and longitude of the ascending node.
Location
Flight Deck
Start Date
9-4-2014 10:00 AM
Modeling the Radial Velocity of Spica Using Bayesian Statistics
Flight Deck
The Interactive Data Language (IDL) code Exofast is a Bayesian Markov Monte Carlo (MCMC) code for estimating transiting exoplantet parameters from light curve and radial velocity data. This code will be modified to take light curve and radial velocity data of the distorted binary system Spica to estimate critical orbital parameters for the system including: eccentricity, argument of periastron, and the semi-major axis. This will require Exofast to call a more sophisticated light-curve algorithm, which includes the tidal distortion of the primary star and takes into account the gravity darkening of both stellar components. This separate IDL code exists and will need to be merged with Exofast. Once this is accomplished, the Exofast code will be further modified to take interferometric data in addition to light curve and radial velocity data to fit all of the Spica data simultaneously and yield the binary system’s inclination and longitude of the ascending node.