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WASP-104b: An Exoplanet "Darker Than Charcoal"

posted by Fnord666 on Wednesday April 25 2018, @07:11PM   Printer-friendly
from the still-easy-to-detect dept.

takyon writes:

WASP-104b is Darker than Charcoal

By analysing the K2 short-cadence data from Campaign 14 we detect phase-curve modulation in the light curve of the hot-Jupiter host star WASP-104. The ellipsoidal modulation is detected with high significance and in agreement with theoretical expectations, while Doppler beaming and reflection modulations are detected tentatively. We show that the visual geometric albedo is lower than 0.03 at 95% confidence, making it one of the least-reflective planets found to date. The light curve also exhibits a rotational modulation, implying a stellar rotational period likely to be near 23 or 46 days. In addition, we refine the system parameters and place tight upper limits for transit timing and duration variations, starspot occultation events, and additional transiting planets.

WASP-104b's albedo was previously thought to be 0.4 (absorbing 60% of incoming light).

Also at ScienceAlert.

Related: NASA Finds a Pitch-Black Hot Jupiter Exoplanet (WASP-12b)

Original Submission

 
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  • (Score: 3, Funny) by Gaaark on Wednesday April 25 2018, @08:54PM (4 children)

    by Gaaark (41) on Wednesday April 25 2018, @08:54PM (#671858) Journal

    Maebae is mayd ob darc madder!

    Hyuk hyuk!

    --
    --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
    Starting Score:    1  point
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       Flamebait=1, Funny=1, Underrated=1, Total=3
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  • (Score: 2) by Gaaark on Thursday April 26 2018, @01:55AM

    by Gaaark (41) on Thursday April 26 2018, @01:55AM (#671989) Journal

    Flamebait?

    Guess asshat missed the sense of humour line at the babby mall.

    --
    --- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 26 2018, @04:41AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 26 2018, @04:41AM (#672033)

    How can you tell when you're in WASP-104b's stellar neighborhood?

    The homes are very large and the lawns are well-cared for.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 26 2018, @04:54AM

      by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 26 2018, @04:54AM (#672037)

      How do you tell WASP-104b at his wedding?

      He's the one in the black tuxedo, standing next to the bride.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 26 2018, @04:48AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday April 26 2018, @04:48AM (#672036)

    What word starts with “N” and ends with “R” that you never want to call WASP-104b?

    Neighbor.