The spin-orbit angles of the transiting exoplanets WASP-1b, WASP-24b, WASP-38b and HAT-P-8b from Rossiter-McLaughlin observations

E.K. Simpson, Don Pollacco, A.Collier Cameron, G. Hébrard, D.R. Anderson, S.C.C. Barros, I. Boisse, F. Bouchy, F. Faedi, M. Gillon, L. Hebb, F. P. Keenan, G.R.M. Miller, C. Moutou, D. Queloz, I. Skillen, P. Sorensen, H.C. Stempels, A. Triaud, C.A. WatsonP.A. Wilson

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Abstract

We present observations of the Rossiter–McLaughlin effect for the transiting exoplanets WASP-1b, WASP-24b, WASP-38b and HAT-P-8b, and deduce the orientations of the planetary orbits with respect to the host stars’ rotation axes. The planets WASP-24b, WASP-38b and HAT-P-8b appear to move in prograde orbits and be well aligned, having sky-projected spin-orbit angles consistent with zero: λ=−4°.7 ± 4°.0, 15°+33−43 and Graphic, respectively. The host stars have Teff < 6250 K and conform with the trend of cooler stars having low obliquities. WASP-38b is a massive planet on a moderately long period, eccentric orbit so may be expected to have a misaligned orbit given the high obliquities measured in similar systems. However, we find no evidence for a large spin-orbit angle. By contrast, WASP-1b joins the growing number of misaligned systems and has an almost polar orbit, λ=Graphic. It is neither very massive, eccentric nor orbiting a hot host star, and therefore does not share the properties of many other misaligned systems.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3023-3035
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume414
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Space and Planetary Science
  • Astronomy and Astrophysics

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